Golden Ball, Not Golden Ticket
When the little Croatian team fell short of a World Cup triumph, Luka Modric chuckled—well, at least we think he chuckled—about his bittersweet haul of the Golden Ball. The Real Madrid midfielder took the world’s best‑player trophy and, with a sigh, admitted he’d rather have been barefoot on the pitch in celebration.
Modric’s Verdict
- Recognition is sweet. He’s grateful to everyone who voted him best player.
- Runner‑up regret. A quiet “I’d have preferred a World Cup” floats in the background.
- Team pride versus heartbreak. Croatia’s performance is a triumph, even if the final left a sting.
“We’re proud of the run we had. The final…well, it was a bummer,” Modric said in a post‑match interview. “But the Golden Ball still feels huge. We’ll rest, celebrate, and keep the dream alive.”
It’s All About the Journey
Croatia hit the knockout stages from the get‑go but duked up in extra‑time three times. Once again, the team burst with intent only to slip to a 4‑2 defeat that tasted especially cruel. Here’s a quick recap of the war‑zone that was the final:
- First half gone wrong: a self‑shot by Mario Mandžukić and a hotly debated penalty from Antoine Griezmann left the Croatians down 2‑1.
- Second half chaos: Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappé widened the gap for France, yet Mandžukić spectacularly fired a tie‑breaker for Croatia.
- Pop‑quiety aside, the footballing world took a deep breath and celebrated Croatia’s unlikely rise to the final—small country, big hearts.
Sports Emoji‑Style Summary
— Croatia dominated early (O: HR)
⏰ — Extra‑time battles checked
— Final heartbreak (4‑2)
— Golden Ball, bittersweet moment
Croatian Hearts Take a Hard Hit as France Secures the Win
Picture this: The whistle blows, the score is 1‑1, and the crowd takes a collective breath. Suddenly, the referee pulls out a phone, taps on the screen, and declares a penalty for France. “We didn’t get what we deserved, but there’s no changing the past,” says Luka Modric, his eyes still burning with the fight.
Why the French Took the Advantage
- First goal: The fine‑tuned free‑kick that, say, the crooks say was a bit suspicious.
- Second goal: A handball by Ivan Perišić that got the referee’s digital magnifying glass.
- Penalty: The final straw that turned 1‑1 into a 2‑1 lead.
What Rakitic Was Saying
“I felt like the universe was playing a cruel joke,” Ivan Rakitic exclaimed. “Those tiny details went in favour of France. It’s a shame, we were so good and we deserved to win.” He added, almost crying: “They only reviewed the foul that hurt us. This penalty feels like a grave mistake. Losing like this stings.”
The Emotional Side‑Effects
The mood on the field was as if someone had turned off the lights. Fans of Croatia had their hopes knocked out of the sky, and the coach told the team to stay strong, {as}. Modric’s pep talk aimed to keep the Warriors alive: “We can’t go back to change anything, but we can be proud that we kept fighting till the very end.”
Summary in One Line
France uses the referee’s questionable decisions to lead Croatia into a hard‑hurting defeat.
Zlatko Dalic & the VAR Saga
In the heat of a World Cup clash, Croatia’s manager Zlatko Dalic rolled out his usual calm, conceding that the VAR system is a solid “good thing” for football—even when the referee’s decision flipped against his side. He was basically saying, “Yeah, sure, it plays its part, but let’s keep sharpening it.”
Rakitic’s Take: “Still Work to Do”
Opposite Dalic’s optimism, Cristian Rakitic pointed out that, while the system had helped, it was far from flawless.
- “I understand the push for better VAR,” he mused.
- He added, “There’s still room for improvement.”
- He was quick to point out, “It’s useful, but not perfect.”
Rakitic’s comments highlight a key truth: technology is only as good as its execution. The World Cup’s first full deployment of VAR saw bright moments and frustrating blips, showing that even the smartest gadgets need human finesse.
What Could Be Better?
Both Dalic and Rakitic imply the same heart‑beat: more precision, less delay, and a touch of consistency. If VAR truly earns its title as a “good thing,” it’s in the next upgrade.
So, while the current VAR keeps kicking the ball down the field, it may still feel a little like that new phone that’s built in yet we’re still chewing on the battery life. No big deal—just a little extra polish—grey or not. The world’s watching, and everyone’s got patience for the next tweak.
