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CROATIA COACH BLASTS REFEREE AFTER VAR DRAMA-FILLED FIFA WORLD CUP EXIT IN PORTUGAL DEFEAT

"It was very bad refereeing," Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said, adding that Croatia "should have been given more free kicks.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic with Luka Modric© AFP

Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic has criticised the refereeing in his side's FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 defeat to Portugal, calling it "very bad refereeing," while also acknowledging that his team cannot use the officiating as an excuse for their elimination, according to Reuters. The comments came after Croatia's 2-1 defeat to Portugal in a tightly contested knockout match, which ended their campaign at the tournament. The result saw Portugal advance to the Round of 16, while Croatia exited after failing to convert several key chances.

Speaking after the match, Dalic said he believed Croatia were denied several free-kick decisions that could have influenced the flow of the game. He expressed frustration over key moments he felt went against his side but maintained that the result ultimately came down to Croatia's own shortcomings in front of goal.

"It was very bad refereeing," Dalic said, adding that Croatia "should have been given more free kicks," according to Reuters.

However, the Croatia coach was quick to temper his criticism, stressing that his team must take responsibility for the defeat. "But Croatia lost. I'm not going to find any excuses," he said, as quoted by Reuters. "We could have won this earlier."

Portugal recovered from an early setback to register a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Croatia in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32. Substitute Goncalo Ramos emerged as the match-winner by heading home a stoppage-time goal to send Roberto Martinez's side into the Round of 16.

Croatia had taken the lead through Ivan Perisic, who became the country's all-time leading World Cup scorer, before Cristiano Ronaldo equalised from the penalty spot after a VAR review.

Croatia had two goals ruled out for offside, including a late equaliser deep into stoppage time, as Portugal held on to set up an all-Iberian Round of 16 clash against Spain. The match also marked the end of Luka Modric's potential World Cup career.

- ANI

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LUKA MODRIC UNDERGOES SURGERY WEEKS BEFORE WORLD CUP

Modric sustained a fractured cheekbone in a clash of heads

Modric undergoes surgery weeks before World Cup
Luka Modric has undergone surgery on a facial injury

Getty

Luka Modric has undergone successful surgery after fracturing his left cheekbone weeks before the 40-year-old AC Milan and Croatia football midfielder ⁠is due to participate in his fifth World Cup.

Modric sustained the injury following a clash of heads with Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli during Sunday's 0-0 Serie A draw at the San Siro. He left the field`with 10 minutes left.

Although clearly in pain, Modric remained on the bench until the end of ⁠the game without receiving medical treatment.

The Croatian federation said national medical staff remained in contact with Modric, who captains the side, as well as his club.

"I've been talking to Luka, and wished him ‌a successful surgery and a quality ‌and speedy recovery," Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic said. "I am convinced that he will do everything to be ready `for the World Cup, and we'll provide full support.

"I am confident that the recovery will go according to plan and that Luka, as team captain, will lead us at another major competition this summer."

Modric undergoes surgery weeks before World Cup
Luka Modric is set to feature at a fifth World Cup
Getty

AC Milan are third in the standings, 12 points behind leaders Inter Milan with four games remaining, and Modric is doubtful to take any part in their season run-in.

A protective mask may be needed should he recover in time for the World Cup, which begins ‌on 11 June. Croatia will face England, ‌Ghana and Panama in Group L.

- Reuters

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JAPAN LEGEND 'KING KAZU' MIURA TO PLAY 40TH SEASON AT AGE 58

Japanese soccer player Kazuyoshi Miura is several generations older than his teammates. His contemporaries retired decades ago. Lionel Messi is 37, and Cristiano Ronaldo is 39 -- mere youngsters compared to Miura.

Miura will turn 58 in February, and the Japanese news agency Kyodo reported this week that he intends to play next season for his fourth-tier Japanese club, Suzuka. It will be his 40th season playing in professional soccer.

"I had a one-and-a-half-year contract [signed in the summer of 2024]. I think it was a natural progression," he said

Known as "King Kazu," Miura is widely listed as the oldest active professional soccer player.

Miura scored 55 goals in 89 appearances and was a star with Japan's national team in the 1990s.

He has played professionally in Brazil, Italy, Croatia, Australia and Portugal. He made his debut in 1986 with Brazilian club Santos, a side made famous by Brazilian star Pelé.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.

- ESPN News Services 

CRISTIANO RONALDO GETS EMOTIONAL AFTER SCORING 900TH CAREER GOAL AGAINST CROATIA AS PORTUGAL STAR MAKES EVEN MORE HISTORY

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the 900th goal of his legendary career in Portugal's UEFA Nations League tie against Croatia.

WHAT HAPPENED?

After Diogo Dalot's seventh-minute opener, 39-year-old Ronaldo bagged the 131st goal for Portugal and the 900th of his illustrious career as he swept home Nuno Mendes' perfect cross on Thursday night at Estadio da Luz. The Al-Nassr star cut an emotional figure after firing the ball into the net, before a Dalot own-goal reduced Croatia's arrears shortly before half-time.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Ronaldo will go down as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Apart from the World Cup, he has won every major trophy available to him in a glittering career that has included spells with Real Madrid, Manchester United, Juventus, and more. And despite approaching 40, he is still proving his worth for club and country.

Getty 

DID YOU KNOW?

Ronaldo, who featured for Portugal in their run to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals this summer, left United for Saudi Pro League team Al-Nassr at the start of 2023 and since then the former Sporting Lisbon ace has scored a remarkable 68 goals in 74 matches in all competitions.

Getty 

WHAT NEXT?

After this Nations League match against Croatia, Portugal will face Scotland on Sunday night. It remains to be seen if national boss Roberto Martinez will rest Ronaldo or start the veteran for the weekend encounter.

- Richard Mills

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