Croatia’s ultimate team man

Gaunt, slight and diminutive, he looks in need of a good dinner, but seldom have appearances been so misleading.

Russia were doing a good job of keeping him relatively subdued before Andrej Kramaric equalised. Then slowly but surely they found control of the game being taken away from them by a player for whom it all looks so easy.

Croatia needed penalties to see off the hosts after Mario Fernandes scored Russia’s second five minutes before the end of extra-time, but Modric had been their biggest headache.

Gareth Southgate and his players will not need reminding of that. Modric has been doing it too well for too long, but the problem with players like him is that, for all the pre-match preparation and analysis, trying to read his next move can be a demoralising experience.

It is not as if Croatia are short of other talented midfielders, either. Ivan Rakitic, of Barcelona, Modric’s Real team-mate, Mateo Kovacic, and Inter Milan’s Marcelo Brozovic would get in most teams in Europe, but if Jordan Henderson, Jesse Lingard and Dele Alli can combine to disrupt Modric’s rhythm – and it will have to be a team effort – England will have cause for optimism.