In the end, experience prevailed. Street smarts earned Croatia a well-deserved place in the World Cup Final. A lack of strength in depth and midfield quality earned England a nation’s pride and restored dignity. In time, dejected Three Lions supporters will recognise that there were no losers in this morning’s semi-final, not really. Gareth Southgate’s budding stars were one of the youngest sides at the tournament.
The Croatians boasted one of the oldest. England must continue to improve. For Luka Modric, it’s Russia 2018 or bust. And the little magician epitomised the major difference between the two sides. England had heart, team spirit and any number of clichés that will be churned out by their jingoistic media in the coming (quick newsflash: Croatia and France also have bags of heart and a suitcase full of team spirit – that’s how they made the final.)
But the Croatians also had those tournament street smarts. As the semi-final moved into extra time, they appeared to get faster and fitter, confusing the eye and confounding the senses. How could an ageing team play three extra-time knockout games in a row and somehow out-run younger opponents? At one point, the 32-year-old Modric lost possession to Marcus Rashford. But the diminutive midfielder somehow chased back, caught the England speedster and knocked the ball into touch. How was that even possible?
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić knew. He had master craftsmen like Modric, Ivan Rakitic and the resurrected Ivan Perisic. England didn’t. They had honest toilers like Jordan Henderson and, later on, Eric Dier, but not the pedigree. So Dalic told his elegant footballers to play faster by playing slower. They passed their way around England’s exhausted midfielders. Keeping the ball is always less tiring than retrieving it. Marcelo Brozovic protected his defence, Modric protected the rest of the team by ensuring Croatia retained possession until they achieved a technical knockout. Modric may end up becoming the player of the tournament. He could even win the Ballon d’Or. But he will not care. He’ll be focused on the same role against France, keeping the ball to keep Croatia out of danger.
He delivered a masterclass in controlling the game’s tempo against England, reminding the Three Lions that for all their progress, they still lack a conductor like Modric. The unassuming artist handed down the harshest lesson of all. If the football’s coming home, someone has to collect it first. But no one could get the ball off Modric when it really mattered.
Neil Humphreys
Singapore’s best selling author and Football columnist
