Real Madrid’s Luka Modric, Croatia qualify for the 2018 World Cup
By Alex McVey
Real Madrid’s Luka Modric has earned his ticket to the World Cup after a boring goalless draw between Croatia and Greece.
Croatia didn’t have to do much to make it to the World Cup on Sunday. After a 4-1 thrashing in the first leg, Greece were pretty much done and dusted. It would have taken a dramatic comeback from Greece or a total collapse from Croatia to have changed the result, and that didn’t come to pass.
The match was less than exciting. There was only one shot on target the entire match. Nevertheless, I’m sure Croatia supporters appreciate a little bit of boring after the up-and-down rollercoaster they’ve experienced en route to the World Cup.
Croatian Football has been embroiled in political scandal, and even Real Madrid’s Modric has gotten caught up in the mess. Zdravko Mamic, the controversial former director of Dinamo Zagreb, has been under investigation for corruption. When Modric was called upon to testify against him, he changed his story in what appears to be an attempt to come to Mamic’s aid. This has made him a conflicted figure in much of Croatia: respected for his fame with Real Madrid, but mistrusted because of his associations with Mamic.
In addition to the off-pitch antics, Croatia looked for a while like they were going to blow a clear-cut opportunity to go to the World Cup. They fired their coach Ante Cacic after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Finland which put Croatia’s World Cup hopes in jeopardy. The new coach, Zlatko Dalic, had to navigate the treacherous waters of World Cup qualification, but managed to steer the ship to shore.
The match wasn’t entirely uneventful for the Real Madrid midfielder; Modric did get a laser shone in his face by the Greek fans. But that was about it. Fortunately, it looks like Modric will be coming home in one piece, avoiding injury ahead of Real’s big clash with Atletico Madrid.
Real Madrid fans will be more than happy that they’ll get to see the Croatian wizard at work during the World Cup. Great work, Luka!
UPDATE:
Given that he has been out with a lengthy injury, I totally forgot at the time of writing this article that this means we will also see Mateo Kovacic at the World Cup. Big ups to both of Real Madrid’s Croatian players!
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