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For 2018 runners-up Croatia, reaching a second consecutive final looked unlikely when they won just one group game.
But through sheer graft and tenacity, two penalty shootout wins over Japan and favourites Brazil earned them a semi-final match with Argentina, where an in-form Lionel Messi caused chaos.
“Realistically speaking, before the start of the tournament, we would all have accepted reaching the semi-finals. However, we started to dream about the trophy,” Croatia midfielder Lovro Majer said.
“Still, we will give everything we’ve got on Saturday and try to win the bronze medal.”
Semi-final defeat represented an opportunity missed to crown a golden generation of players, with coach Zlatko Dalic confirming most of them — headed by Luka Modric — will not play in the next World Cup.
But Dalic said of their swansong: “I told the players they need to keep their heads up, be proud of giving their maximum and be ready; we must prepare to fight for third place.
“There is no blame on our guys, I congratulate them for everything they’ve done at this World Cup. Now we have to get up, dust ourselves off and try to win the bronze medal.”
(Photo: Getty Images)
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