Modric watches on helplessly but dream of ultimate glory lives on

It turned out to be pleasant viewing for Luka Modric.

It began like much of his side’s play, with a saunter. The captain left the centre of the pitch and glided over to collect the ball from centre back Josko Gvardiol on the left. Seconds later, after Croatia won the ball back about 25 yards out in a central area, Modric attempted a quick release to his left only for it to be intercepted easily by Ritsu Doan, who had read the Real Madrid star’s intention.

Kamada feinted to shoot with his left, chopped onto his right, and from just outside the right corner of the six-yard box, he teed up a shot.He keeled over in anticipation of the net bulging but then sprung back into an upwards stance once the shot was skied. This was one of them – they are allowed, of course – and it was left to Perisic, another veteran, to send this last-16 tie into extra-time when he directed a stunning header from a Dejan Lovren cross into the bottom corner.

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