Zlatko Dalic, head coach of the Croatia national team, expressed deep disappointment after his side was eliminated from the World Cup. Croatia suffered a dramatic 2-1 defeat to Portugal in the Round of 32, a result sealed in the final minutes of the match.
In comments reported by The Guardian, Dalic highlighted how video technology intervention drastically altered the emotional flow of the game. He expressed frustration when a goal celebrated by his team was ruled out after a review, a moment he described as mentally exhausting for the players on the pitch.
"Video technology may aim for fairness, but its impact has killed the passion and natural emotion in football. We feel the team's spirit was destroyed by technical decisions that strip away the joy of the game," Dalic said firmly. He added that the implementation of this technology has gone too far and hurts the dynamic essence of sportsmanship.
In addition to discussing the match, Dalic also touched upon the future of team captain Luka Modric. He admitted it is very likely this tournament marks the final stage for the veteran midfielder on the international stage. Dalic praised Modric's extraordinary dedication, noting he was still able to show world-class quality and leadership until the very last second of Croatia's campaign.
