Modric: Argentina’s triumph began with refereeing mistakes

Croatia captain Luka Modric said on Tuesday that Argentina’s 3-0 win in the 2022 World Cup semi-finals started off with two refereeing errors and that it has been difficult to get back into the game since then.

“We were fine, we were in control, but within a minute the referee made two glaring mistakes. He turned a corner in our favor and took a goal kick and then awarded a penalty that wasn’t there. An Argentine player got into a collision. with our goalkeeper. I can’t believe he scored that penalty,” Modric said of the mixed zone in Lusail, Qatar.

For the 37-year-old midfielder, these two situations “changed the game” and put Croatia in a “very difficult situation”.

“We tried to recover, but of course it was difficult. We are sad, we wanted to reach the final again, but congratulations to Argentina. Now we need to recover physically, because we have a bronze medal ahead of us. Podium,” said the Real Madrid player.

Mateo Kovacic, the Chelsea midfielder, also claimed that Argentina’s triumph began to be built due to two mistakes in a row by Italian referee Daniele Orsato, for which the Croatian international even saw a yellow card for protests.

“These are two incredible situations. He doesn’t score a clean corner in our favor and then scores that ridiculous penalty that is clearly not a penalty. This Argentine player goes against our goalkeeper. These are serious mistakes that cost us defeat. “, he stressed.

Kovacic now wants to forget about the semi-final game and “focus on third place”.

“We wanted a final, but being able to finish third is something we will be proud of. We will do our best,” he assured.

In this meeting, scheduled for Saturday in Al Rayyan, Croatia will face the loser of the other semi-final between France and Morocco.