Dalić: "A deserved victory", Modrić: "The real Croatia"

Zlatko Dalić

"I congratulate my players for the victory and everybody in the stands for their support. We were rewarded at the very end for being compact, responsible, and aggressive. This wasn't really our style of play, but our victory in this great match is deserved. Everything fell into place, including the introduction with Mandžukić, Subašić, and Ćorluka as they remain a part of our family. There was this scene in the final minute, when we were attacking with all the players - I was shouting, wanting someone to stay back, but everybody wanted to score the winner"

Luka Modrić

"Spain, a phenomenal team, has also played well, but in the end the luck was on our side. This was the real Croatia, the one that played at the World Cup, and we have to be proud. We were extremely motivated, eager to respond following the loss at Elche, and eager to provide an experience for all the supporters. The full crowd was truly an extra man for Croatia, we were hoping for such a support. Let it remain the same in the future. The players that came on gave us an energy boost, and now we have to rest and prepare for England challenge"

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