Luka Modric bemoaned that soccer is ‘cruel and merciless’ after Croatia’s 1-1 draw with Italy left them getting ready to Euro 2024 elimination.
Croatia have taken solely two factors from their group stage video games and are in want of a minor miracle to safe a spot within the final 16. They completed third in Group C and wish England to beat Slovenia by a minimum of three targets on Tuesday to face an opportunity of rating among the many 4 greatest third-place groups which might see them via to the knockout stage.
Modric scored the opening purpose of Croatia’s matchday three encounter with Italy, however they have been pegged again by a 98th-minute equaliser from Mattia Zaccagni which proved to be the ultimate kick of the sport.
This was the second successive sport by which Croatia conceded deep into stoppage time, succumbing to a Ninety fifth-minute purpose from Klaus Gjasula throughout their 2-2 draw with Albania.
Talking after Monday’s stalemate with Italy, an emotional Modric claimed Croatia’s marketing campaign has been barely “unfair” as a result of their dedication and fervour.
“We stored battling proper till the top however sadly soccer was cruel tonight, soccer was merciless,” the Actual Madrid midfielder mentioned. “Not solely at this time but additionally in our final sport once we conceded a late purpose.
“It is onerous once you lose like this to seek out the phrases to explain how you are feeling. After all we have to bounce again however that’s the way in which it’s. Maybe it is unfair as a result of all of us fought for Croatia from the primary whistle to the final, the footballing gods do not at all times smile on us.”
Croatia at the moment are staring down the barrel of a primary group stage elimination since their 2014 FIFA World Cup marketing campaign, whereas they’ve have solely twice gone out earlier than the knockout rounds of a European Championship twice when competing as an unbiased nation.
