The exceptional men in checkered jersey
DANIJEL SUBASIC
(goalkeeper, 43 caps, 0 goals)
The Monaco goalkeeper can make a valid claim to be Croatia’s hero to this point. Subasic became only the second goalkeeper to save three penalties in a shoot-out at the World Cup in the last-16 victory over Denmark, matching the feat of Portugal keeper Ricardo against England in 2006. Then, while carrying an injury, he saved one penalty in Croatia’s shoot-out success over Russia in the quarter-final.
IVAN STRINIC
(full-back, 48 caps, 0 goals)
No Croatian player has made more tackles throughout the tournament than the defender, who less than two weeks ago became an AC Milan player.
SIME VRSALJKO
(full-back, 40 caps, 0 goals)
A key cog in the well-oiled Atletico Madrid unit, Vrsaljko has become an experienced part of another solid defensive side for his national team. His crossing prowess cannot be underestimated either, having provided the pinpoint delivery for Ivan Perisic to equalise against England in the semi-final.
DOMAGOJ VIDA
(centre-back, 64 caps, 4 goals)
The Besiktas defender has courted controversy in Russia, and was forced to apologise after speaking out in support of Russia’s neighbour and adversary Ukraine following Croatia’s quarter-final victory over the host nation. On the pitch, Vida has made the most interceptions of any Croatian in Russia.
DEJAN LOVREN
(centre-back, 45 caps, 2 goals)
Liverpool defender Lovren won almost double the number of aerial duels of any teammate against England. Lovren has made more blocks in the tournament than any Croatia player and showed improved composure on the ball.
IVAN RAKITIC
(midfield, 98 caps, 15 goals)
The indestructible Barcelona midfielder played his 70th match of his season in the semifinal and, after 120 minutes of lung-busting running, Rakitic celebrated as energetically as a man with half that number of games under his belt. Statistically, Rakitic has performed superbly in Russia, with only Luka Modric bettering him on chances created and completed passes, no player has made more tackles, and only Ivan Perisic has taken more shots at goal.
MARCELO BROZOVIC
(midfield, 40 caps, 6 goals)
Brozovic provides that defensive protection that allows Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric scope to get forward and utilise their passing ability to devastating effect. Not always the first name on the team sheet, Brozovic keeps Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic out of the team, fitting into Zlatko Dalic’s system perfectly.
LUKA MODRIC
(midfield, 112 caps, 14 goals) A master of his craft. The Real Madrid orchestrator-in-chief has known no bounds in Russia, covering a colossal 63 kilometres so far in the tournament — more than any other player. Only three players in Russia have created more chances than Modric, who has created double the number of chances of any teammate. Remarkably, as well as being Croatia’s most creative player, Modric is third for tackles (9), third for interceptions (8) and second for recoveries (48) in the Croatia squad. In one pass, Modric can simply unlock any defence.
IVAN PERISIC
(forward, 72 caps, 20 goals)
The man for the big occasion. Perisic popped up with a vital equaliser against England to turn the match on its head. The experienced Inter Milan forward has often been the man his nation turns to, having either scored or assisted in 10 goals for Croatia at major tournaments — the joint most with Davor Suker.
ANTE REBIC
(forward, 21 caps, 2 goals)
The Eintracht Frankfurt forward announced himself to the world with a brilliantly taken opener against Argentina and has been a thorn in many a left back’s side throughout the tournament.
MARIO MANDZUKIC
(striker, 88 caps, 32 goals)
Juventus striker Mandzukic, 33, has saved his World Cup goalscoring for the knockout rounds in Russia, with the opener against Denmark in the last 16, before arguably the most important goal of his career — the winner against England in the semi-final.