Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Friendly Games
Nigeria

Zlatko Dalic: 'Croatia's 2018 World Cup win over Argentina now irrelevant'

sportsmole.co.uk, 12 December 2022, 18:18
Zlatko Dalic has played down suggestions that Croatia's previous World Cup victory over Argentina could be relevant ahead of Tuesday's semi-final.

Having come from behind in extra time before beating Brazil on penalties, Croatia are now bidding to reach the World Cup final for the second successive time.

In Russia in 2018, Croatia impressed during the group stages, recording an emphatic 3-0 win over Argentina in their second fixture at the tournament.

All three goals came during the second half as Ante Rebic, Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic earned the Checkered Ones a notable win in their history.

With the two nations scheduled to lock horns once again at the Lusail Stadium, some believe that the European side hold an advantage ahead of the tie.

However, that perception has been dismissed by Dalic, claiming that the match in Nizhny Novgorod has "nothing to do" with the upcoming encounter.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference, as quoted by Croatia Week, Dalic said: "This is a new and completely different match than in 2018, when it was in the group stages, it was not a decisive match.

"We played very well, we scored goals from every chance. We were compact, fighting and strong, we will be like that now, but that match from Russia has nothing to do with this.

"We have a big game ahead of us, especially for Argentina, but also for us. There will be no savings and calculations, I expect a nice and hopefully fair game from both sides."

Opposite number Lionel Scaloni has heaped praise on the qualities shown by Croatia throughout the tournament, revealing that he and his coaching staff have attempted to identify any weaknesses.

Whoever prevails from the fixture will face either France or Morocco in the final on Sunday.

Top News

11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Granada's relegation from La Liga to the Segunda Division has been confirmed due to Mallorca's 1-0 win over Las Palmas on Saturday afternoon. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Saudi Pro League champions-elect Al-Hilal are reportedly considering making a move for Tottenham Hotspur attacker Richarlison in the upcoming transfer market. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Josko Gvardiol netted a brace to help Manchester City move to the top of the Premier League table with a commanding 4-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Hansi Flick has reportedly 'expressed an interest' in becoming Manchester United's next head coach amid the ongoing speculation surrounding Erik ten Hag's future at Old Trafford. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Kylian Mbappe will allegedly take a substantial pay cut to join Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly contemplating a cut-price transfer swoop for Atletico Madrid defender Reinildo Mandava in the upcoming transfer window. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona head coach Xavi is expected to make a couple of changes to his starting side for Monday's La Liga clash against Real Sociedad. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will be bidding to return to winning ways in Spain's top flight when they welcome Real Sociedad to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Monday evening. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk If reports are to be believed, Chelsea are eager to secure a deal for Palmeiras teenager Estevao Willian as soon as possible. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sunday's Primeira Liga fixture at the Estadio da Luz sees second-placed Benfica welcome seventh-placed Arouca. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly identified the player who they would like to make as their first signing of the summer. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has suggested that he has become used to 'working with instability' at Stamford Bridge. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Now heading for another European final, Fiorentina are back in Serie A action on Monday, when they host mid-table Monza at Stadio Franchi. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou is reportedly prepared to part ways with as many as nine players during the summer transfer window. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sunday's Primeira Liga clash at the Estadio do Dragao sees third-placed Porto host 14th-placed Boavista in a pivotal game for both sides in their respective quests for Europa League football and top-flight survival. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Needing just one point to ensure safety, Lecce welcome fellow Serie A strugglers Udinese to Stadio Via del Mare on Monday evening. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Charlotte FC vs. Nashville (Sunday, 12.30am) Charlotte FC are set to host Nashville SC at the Bank of America Stadium on Sunday in MLS's Eastern Conference. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Mallorca vs. Las Palmas (Saturday, 1.00pm) Mallorca will be looking to give their La Liga survival hopes a huge boost when they welcome Las Palmas to Estadi Mallorca Son Moix on Saturday afternoon. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Napoli vs. Bologna (Saturday, 5.00pm) One more win could confirm Bologna's place in next season's Champions League, as Serie A's surprise package tackle Napoli on Saturday evening. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk RB Leipzig vs. Werder Bremen (Saturday, 2.30pm) With Champions League qualification guaranteed, RB Leipzig have little else to play for when they host Werder Bremen in gameweek 33's Bundesliga action at Red Bull Arena. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Celtic vs. Rangers (Saturday, 12.30pm) Aiming to take a significant step towards a third straight Scottish Premiership crown, Celtic will welcome arch rivals Rangers to Celtic Park for an Old Firm derby clash on Saturday afternoon. 11 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fulham vs. Man City (Saturday, 12.30pm) Manchester City continue their pursuit of a record fourth consecutive Premier League title when they travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Saturday lunchtime. 10 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With top-flight survival on the line, SBV Excelsior welcome Heracles to Van Donge & De Roo Stadion on Sunday in round 33 of the 2023-24 Eredivisie campaign. 10 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Currently third from bottom, 18th-placed Hatayspor Kulubu are set to host 14th-placed MKE Ankaragucu at the Mersin Stadium on Sunday as part of a pivotal relegation clash in the Turkish Super Lig. 10 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Chelsea have reportedly enquired about the availability of Barcelona forward Vitor Roque. 10 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Matchday 36 of the 2023-24 Turkish Super Lig season sees Kasimpasa and Antalyaspor go head to head at the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadyumu on Sunday. 10 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea will reportedly make a final decision on Mauricio Pochettino's future at an end-of-season review. 10 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Trabzonspor will welcome already-relegated Istanbulspor to Papara Park on Sunday evening in round 36 of the Turkish Super Lig. 10 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk FC Utrecht will be aiming to pick up a fifth win in six matches when they welcome Sparta Rotterdam to Stadion Galgenwaard on Sunday afternoon.