Modric blames Griezmann's penalty for World Cup loss

CAIRO – 17 July 2018: Croatia national team's captain, Luka Modric, revealed on Monday that they lost the game after Antoine Griezmann scored a penalty for the French side seconds before the half time.

“We recovered after the first goal and when we played our best football, he gave a penalty and it kills you. I think we were unlucky to lose,” Modric said.

The French team opened the score after 20 minutes by an own goal from Mario Mandžukić and 9 minutes later Ivan Perisic equalized for Croatia. VAR granted France a penalty seconds before the half time after the ball touched Perisic’s hands and Griezmann converted it to make the score 2-1.

At the second half, France scored two goals by Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe, respectively and Mandžukić scored Croatia’s second goal to end the game 4-2.

Modric added: “We played well and I think we were the better team but sometimes better teams don’t win. We have to be proud of how we played but it wasn’t enough to win it."

Croatia's captain led his team to their first World Cup final surpassing the Croatian achievement in the 1998 World Cup when they finished third.

Modric was named the best player in the tournament.