Dalić Focused Only on Portugal
Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalić says his team is concentrating exclusively on the Round of 16 clash against Portugal, insisting that there is no room for thoughts about the later stages of the FIFA World Cup. Speaking ahead of one of the tournament’s most anticipated knockout matches, Dalić stressed that Croatia must first overcome Portugal before discussing any possible quarter-final opponents.
The Croatian coach described Portugal as one of the strongest teams remaining in the competition, highlighting the quality, experience and individual talent throughout its squad. He said Croatia fully respects its opponent but enters the match with confidence after successfully progressing from the group stage.
Dalić emphasized that knockout football leaves no space for mistakes and that every detail can decide the outcome. According to him, Croatia’s attention is directed entirely toward producing the best possible performance against Portugal, with no distractions about what may come afterward.
“These Players Deserve Respect”
During his press conference, Dalić also defended his players against criticism, saying the current Croatian generation has earned respect through its achievements over many years.
He pointed to the team’s consistent results at major international tournaments, arguing that this group has repeatedly demonstrated its quality on the biggest stage. According to Dalić, the players have brought pride to Croatia and deserve recognition rather than constant questioning whenever results are not perfect.
The coach said he has complete confidence in his squad and believes the players have shown the mentality required for major tournaments. He stressed that Croatia’s success has never come by chance but through years of hard work, discipline and commitment.
Dalić added that every World Cup presents new challenges, but he believes the experience accumulated by his players can once again become an important advantage in the knockout rounds.
Modrić Extends His Remarkable World Cup Legacy
Captain Luka Modrić is preparing for another historic milestone as he continues to extend one of the most remarkable international careers in football history.
The experienced midfielder has once again become one of Croatia’s central figures at the World Cup, adding another chapter to a career that has already included multiple deep tournament runs and numerous individual records.
His latest appearance further strengthened his position among the greatest players ever to represent Croatia. Throughout the tournament, Modrić has continued to demonstrate the leadership, composure and consistency that have defined his international career for nearly two decades.
The veteran midfielder remains the team’s captain and emotional leader, with his experience expected to play a decisive role against Portugal in what could become another memorable night for Croatian football.
Croatia Faces One of the Tournament Favorites
Croatia enters the Round of 16 knowing that Portugal represents one of the strongest obstacles on the road to the later stages of the competition. The Portuguese squad combines experienced leaders with younger attacking talent and is widely considered one of the favorites to compete for the World Cup title.
Despite acknowledging Portugal’s quality, Dalić made it clear that Croatia has not arrived simply to participate in the knockout phase. He said his players have the belief, experience and competitive spirit needed to challenge any opponent.
The Croatian camp has therefore adopted a balanced approach: full respect for Portugal, complete confidence in their own abilities, and total focus on the immediate task ahead.
With Modrić once again leading the national team and Dalić standing firmly behind his players, Croatia approaches the knockout match convinced that another major World Cup achievement remains possible. The message from the Croatian camp is clear—there is only one objective at the moment, defeating Portugal, while every discussion about the next round can wait until the final whistle.
