Croatia’s hopes of reaching a second consecutive final ended with a 3-0 defeat to Argentina. Find the Croatia World Cup ratings below.
Croatia World Cup player ratings (4-3-3)
GK: Dominik Livakovic – 5/10 – It was unfortunate to give away the penalty. Made additional saves to limit the score.
RB: Josip Juranovic – 4/10 – Prior to Alvarez scoring Argentina’s second goal, failed to obtain a decisive touch to remove the ball.
CB: Dejan Lovren – 2/10 – You will undoubtedly die by Lovren if you live by it. Prior to the penalty, the former Liverpool defender, who was being his typical careless self, played Alvarez miles onside.
CB: Josko Gvardiol – 3/10 – Played as if he were in a back three rather than a back four and was getting pulled wide. Messi repeatedly destroyed the opposition in the second half.
LB: Borna Sosa – 2/10 – Every time he touched the ball, it appeared as though he was getting ready to cross. He wasn’t constantly crossing the ball, which was the issue. The abysmal defense allowed Argentina’s second goal. Hooked at the break.
DM: Marcelo Brozovic – 5/10 – Possessed steeliness and technique at the foundation of the midfield but was replaced by Petkovic as a target man.
CM: Luka Modric – 7/10 – Enjoyed early success working his way through midfield and gave a valiant effort on defence, but his efforts proved to be ineffective.
CM: Mateo Kovacic – 7/10 – Early on, similarly appeared promising, as Argentina struggled to stop his amazing dribbles.
RW: Mario Pasalic – 3/10 – Pasalic gave another almost anonymous performance before being abruptly replaced during the intermission.
CF: Andrej Kramaric – 3/10 – Kramaric’s short tenure at Leicester is frequently brought up by commentators, but with World Cup performances this good, it’s understandable why.
LW: Ivan Perisic – 5/10 – Made wise, thoughtful selections but failed to give Croatia the spark it required.
Substitutes:
Nikola Vlasic (46′ for Sosa) – 4/10 – Unable to create any real openings.
Mislav Orsic (46′ for Mario Pasalic) – 4/10 – Also failed to get in the game.
Bruno Petkovic (50′ for Brozovic) – 5/10 – Provided much-needed physicality, but Croatia was unable to find enough of him.
Marko Livaja (72′ for Kramaric) – N/A
Lovro Majer (81′ for Modric) – N/A
Manager:
Zlatko Dalic – 5/10 – Although Croatia’s strategy of “bending but not breaking” finally failed, there wasn’t much they could have done to stop Messi and Alvarez other than make individual mistakes.
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