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World Cup 48-team preview: Croatia's veterans and rising stars aim for history

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Croatia, with a population under 4 million, has reached the World Cup semifinals in half of their appearances.
  • The team's core includes veteran Luka Modrić, alongside experienced midfielders like Mateo Kovačić and Mario Pašalić.
  • Key defender Joško Gvardiol has returned from injury, bolstering the squad for the upcoming tournament.

Croatia has consistently punched above its weight on the world football stage, reaching the semifinals in half of their World Cup appearances. Since their debut in 1998, where they secured third place, the nation of fewer than 4 million people has demonstrated remarkable resilience and skill.

Their recent history includes a runner-up finish in the 2018 World Cup and another third-place finish in 2022. This impressive track record highlights their ability to compete with larger nations on football's biggest stage.

Veteran midfielder Luka Modrić, still influential at 40, anchors a strong midfield alongside Mateo Kovačić, Mario Pašalić, and Nikola Vlašić. The team also boasts significant young talent in Martin Baturina and Petar Sučić. Star defender Joško Gvardiol has also made a successful return from a long-term injury, adding depth to the squad.

Coach Zlatko Dalić leads a squad that, while familiar, is well-equipped to make another deep run in the tournament. Their consistent performance suggests that further success for Croatia would not be surprising.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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