Zlatko Dalic, the coach of Croatia, expressed his regret for exiting the 2026 World Cup early from the round of 32 at the hands of Portugal after losing 2-1.
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Portugal
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Croatia
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Croatia
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The Croatian team, runner-up in 2018 and third in 2022, fell at the hands of Portugal, and the journey of its golden generation ended early.
Dalic said: "We did not deserve for things to end this way. It was an emotional rollercoaster, hard to comprehend. The players are shattered and disappointed. We lost and exited the World Cup. But we fought until the end."
He added in press statements: "The refereeing was very bad, we lost and there are no excuses, we could have secured the win earlier."
The Croatian team lost the match despite scoring a goal in the 90+13 minute, which was canceled after a video technology intervention. (See details)
He continued, "This might have been Modric's last World Cup, and I am sorry it ended this way."
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He continued, "I am not afraid for the future of the Croatian team. We have many rising young players, and some of them showed high quality in the match."
He concluded, "We have reached the end of a great era, and we are awaiting the beginning of a new generation."
He concluded about his future, "God knows what will happen in the 2030 World Cup, but we will talk about that in Croatia."
Dalic's contract with Croatia ends in 2026 after he started his journey in 2017.
During 111 matches with Croatia, he won 57 matches, drew 26, and lost 28.
