With a 2-0 victory over Ukraine, Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and his Croatian national team have kept their World Cup hopes alive.
I reported that Modric and his Croatian national team were in deep trouble ahead of their World Cup qualifying match against Ukraine. The match was a must-win for the Croatians, who had seriously damaged their chances of making the World Cup after a disastrous draw to Finland.
And win they did! Andrej Kramaric registered a brace as Croatia defeated Ukraine 2-0. It wasn’t always a straightforward match. The first 45 minutes was a tense affair that ended 0-0, but Croatia was much more on-point in the second half.
Luka Modric’s pin-point passing abilities were directly responsible for the creation of the first goal. Take a look at how Modric spots Kramaric in the box, pauses just a split second, and then lifts a perfectly weighted pass for Kramaric to head home in the far corner.
With a second goal later on in the second half, Kramaric and Croatia kept their dreams of World Cup qualification alive for at least a little bit longer.
Now, Croatia will have to participate in a playoff in order to make it through to the World Cup. Their opponent for the playoff is not yet determined, as matches on Tuesday will affect the final list of teams participating in the playoffs. Croatia could have to take on Ireland, who eliminated Gareth Bales’ Wales from World Cup qualification with their 1-0 victory. However, depending on how results go on Tuesday, Croatia could have a really tough draw for the playoff spots. Both Italy and Portugal are still potential candidates for the playoffs.
While it’s good that Modric still has a chance of making the World Cup, Madridistas have to be a bit peeved that he will have to play in a World Cup qualifier playoff just days before Real Madrid face Atletico Madrid in La Liga.
Next: Gareth Bale's Wales crashes out of the World Cup qualifications
Stay tuned to The Real Champs for more coverage of Real Madrid players’ International Break.
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