Luka Modrić: ‘We left it all on the pitch today’
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Croatia has reached the last 16 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup after a tense 0-0 with Belgium at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Qatar on Thursday.
After the match Luka Modrić, defensive hero Joško Gvardiol, Mateo Kovačić and Bruno Petković spoke to HRT.
Luka Modrić
We are overjoyed to be in last 16. We deserved it by what we showed over the last 2 games. We played good today against a good Belgium team.
We could have sorted the game earlier as we had chances but we left it all on the pitch today and everyone involved, the players, management, back room staff, we all live for this and it paid off.
We have reached out first goal – to advance from the group and now we move on. We showed we are a top side and whoever we meet in the last 16 it wont be easy against us.
Joško Gvardiol
We achieved our goal to advance from the group. I agree we could have scored, we had our chances. They also had quality chances which they missed so we have to be happy with draw.
👍 Unfaltering team spirit
😬 Nerve-racking moments
🇭🇷 #Croatia through to the second round
🎉 Celebrations are in order!#FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 #Family #Vatreni❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/j17trhsFRI— HNS (@HNS_CFF) December 1, 2022
We had to be compact and when we are we have answers for all attacks. In today’s football you need a defender to go forward with the ball and create and I tried to do that.
Mateo Kovačić
We didn’t underestimate Belgium. We saw they were dangerous, they had chances but luckily they couldn’t score.
The plan was to start strong today and try and find an early goal. It didn’t happen but they did not score. In the second half Lukaku was dangerous but we fought well and deserved it in the end. It is Important to reach last 16, whoever we play, as it is at a World Cup in last 16, will be tough.
🇭🇷 Heroes! #UCL pic.twitter.com/Wba7GFOw9D
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 1, 2022
Bruno Petković
We expected a tough game and we have now reached our goal. Now we will rest and wait for the last 16. We looked for the win today, Lukaku had a few chances and is a dangerous player. You saw it all, there is not too much more for me to comment. Whoever we face in the last 16 it will not be easy for them, or for us.
