LEIPZIG — At one end of the Red Bull Arena, Croatia ‘s fans had been jumping and dancing and singing from the moment they entered the stadium until, almost, the moment that the game had ended. Near enough 1,000 kicks of the ball and only after the last one was their silence. He who cheers last cheers longest.
Croatia are almost certainly going home and with it may go an entire golden era. Even if they do squeak through, via some twists and turns and England walloping Slovenia , the spirit must surely be fractured into pieces. Zlatko Dalic’s side have conceded goals in the 95th and 98th minutes of their last two group games at Euro 2024 and that’s enough to stop anyone singing.
It is tempting to forever see this Croatian generation through the prism of their magnificent captain, but this is his great lament. Luka Modric was making his 35th appearance at a major tournament and Monday night’s draw with Italy looks likely to be his last. What a way to go: villain (penalty miss), hero (goalscorer) and then just broken by the experience at full-time, hands tight around his neck as if wishing himself awake from a nightmare.
The most remarkable thing about Modric then and now is how similar everything is. His European Championship debut came in 2008, a wispy, technical midfielder who seemed to read the game and pick the passes better than anyone else. The only difference is that, in that game, Modric scored his penalty.
Even when he misses he is still the hero. This exit is.
