FIFA World Cup 2022 : 3 reasons why Croatia are a better side than 2018 FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup 2022 3 reasons why Croatia are a better side than 2018 FIFA World Cup

The Croatians have did the unthinkable yet again after they were able to humble Brazil on penalties to reach the last 4 of the 2022 edition. For the second consecutive match in a row, Croatia won their game on penalties and they are going to face another tournament favorites Argentina in the Semi-final.

While this campaign has certainly looked promising for them, the 2022 edition is proving to be an even better tournament for them. In this feature, we will highlight the reasons why the Croatian team is looking even better than they did in 2018.

1. Strong Defense – Croatia’s back line has certainly been their strongest link so far. The defense has tuned in together really well and manager Zlatko Dalic’s selection and tactics have payed off incredibly. While Josko Gvardiol and Dejan Lovren stood like rocks at the heart of the Croatian defense, Right back Juranovic and Left-back Borna Sosa have provided them with the attacking thrust time in time out. The defense conceded only 1 goal in the Group stages, 1 in the round of 16 and 1 against Brazil last night. Overall they have conceded only 3 goals from open play in the entire tournament and they haven’t lost a single game as well. Most of the credit must go to their rock solid back 4 who kept the team alive in every possible situation. 20-year-old Josko Gvardiol in particular has showed signs of becoming the next big thing among defenders around the world. In the first four matches, Gvardiol played 390 minutes, making 30 ball recoveries, keeping his passing accuracy at 88.36% alongside an aerial duel success of 40% and ground duel success of 66.67%.

FIFA World Cup 2022 3 reasons why Croatia are a better side than 2018 FIFA World Cup

2. Experienced Midfield – The midfield department of Croatia is perhaps one of the most experienced and efficient Midfield in FIFA World Cup 2022. Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic and Luka Modric have been running the show since the start of the tournament. Against Brazil, Croatia itself had the game’s better opening. The veteran midfield trio of Mateo Kovacic (28), Marcelo Brozovic (35 successful passes), and Luka Modric (35) saw a lot of the ball in the opening 45 minutes and were three of Croatia’s top four passers overall. The top four Brazilian defenders for successful passes were the other four. Even though it’s a really basic measurement, it revealed which areas of the field each team was controlling. Croatia’s comeback goal in 117th minute was a move that was initiated by Luka Modric as he found Orsic in the flanks before Bruno Petkovic scored the decisive goal which kept Croatia alive in the tournament.

3. Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic’s impeccable form – One of the pillars of Croatia’s run towards the Semi-final is goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic and his dominance between the posts. He was the first keeper in this year’s WC to make three saves during Penalty shootouts that too in a consecutive succession. Livakovic is also the first goalkeeper in the history of World cup to make 10 saves in a single game against Brazil last night. Moreover, he made more saves in the first 70 minutes against Brazil (6) than Alisson becker made in the whole tournament (5). Livakovic also became only the third goalkeeper in WC to make 4+ shootout saves after Argentina’s Sergio Goyocochea and fellow countryman Danjiel Subasic.

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