‘Saddest day of my career’

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic is prepared to make changes for Sunday's World Cup final against France if some of his players have not recovered from their exertions in reaching football's biggest game.

Dalic's men have been forced to go through three periods of extra-time against Denmark, Russia and England to become the smallest country in 68 years to make the final.

"Tomorrow is the World Cup final. Simply, the players know what that is," Dalic said on Saturday.

"One thing that brings me happiness is that all my players tell me if they are not 100 percent fit. They will concede and say they are not fit. They know what is at stake, but if they are unable to give their all they will tell us. They have such an attitude."

Ivan Perisic, who scored and set up Mario Mandzukic's winner in a 2-1 semi-final win over England, was among five Croatian players to miss training on Friday.

"We have nothing to train. We need relaxation and rest to gain freshness for tomorrow. We have some minor injuries, minor problems, and I hope my players will be ready. If not, I have great players on the bench who will be raring to go."

Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic gave Russian President Vladimir Putin a Croatian soccer shirt with the name "Putin" printed on the back on Sunday, hours before Croatia play France in the World Cup final in Moscow.

Croatia has been caught up in soccer fever after the Balkan nation of 4.2 million people swept aside more fancied opponents to reach its first ever World Cup final, which Russia is hosting this year.

Grabar-Kitarovic has, herself, entered into the spirit of the occasion, travelling to Russia to watch matches and dressing in the colours of the national flag. Croatia knocked Russia's team out of the competition in the quarter-finals.

At a Kremlin meeting, Putin congratulated the Croatian president on the Croatian team's performance.

"I'm sure we will see a beautiful game today," he said. Grabar-Kitarovic thanked Putin for what she said was the successful organisation of the competition.

Putin presented her with a bouquet of flowers, while she gave the Russian leader the Croatian national shirt.

France were 2-1 ahead against Croatia at halftime in the World Cup final after a pulsating opening 45 minutes at the Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday.

France took the lead when Croatia forward Mario Mandzukic, who scored the extra-time winner over England in the semi-final, inadvertently headed home an Antoine Griezmann free-kick in the 18th minute for the first own goal in a World Cup final.

Croatia's Ivan Perisic, who had also scored in the semi-final, levelled with a powerful shot 10 minutes later after France had failed to clear a Luka Modric free-kick.

But Perisic was then responsible for conceding a penalty for handball that was give following a VAR decision and Griezmann coolly converted the spot-kick in the 38th to put the French back in front.

More to follow..

Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has once again mocked Brazil superstar Neymar as the 52-year old said that he named his newly bought luggage ‘Neymar’ because it keeps on turning round and round when you touch it, just like Neymar in recent games.

Neymar has been heavily criticized for his playacting in recent games as he went down too easily on several occasions during Brazil’s games against Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia in the group stage of the World Cup 2018.

According to a report from Goal.com, Cantona, meanwhile, echoed such sentiments as he posted a video on social media with his new luggage.

“This is my new luggage: I called it Neymar,” the Frenchman said, placing a yellow suitcase onto a table. “Because of the colour, but mainly because of this: you barely touch it and it turns round and round for hours.

By the way, Neymar, you are a great player and a great actor. But be careful with the continuity mistakes. If you’re hit on the right shoulder, you can’t be crying in pain holding your left cheek!” Cantona concluded.

Cantona previously took to social media to mock Neymar for his hairstyle as he posted a picture of his own with a bowl of pasta on his head while holding a picture of the PSG star to recreate the look of Neymar’s new haircut.

 

 

Brazil striker Neymar thought his critics were trying to undermine him as the Selecao overcame Mexico 2-0 to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

Neymar, 26, is the most-fouled player in Russia so far with 23, including six in the Mexico match and an apparent attempt by Miguel Layun to step on his ankle that was not called and left the Paris Saint-Germain player writhing in pain afterward.

And asked about the motivation of his critics in the face of his theatrics following the numerous fouls, "Look, I think it's more of an attempt to undermine me than anything else. I don’t much care for criticism, not even for praise because this can influence in a way the athlete’s attitude.” the Brazil talisman was quoted as saying by U.S based sports television channel ESPN  on Tuesday.

“The last two matches I didn't talk to the press because there's so many people talking, getting excited”  he added.

"I just want to play and I help my teammates, I have to help my team and that's what I am here for, nothing else. I am here to win and I hope I can improve. I knew that I was going to need some time to get back to my normal pace, but today I feel much better," said Neymar, who now has two goals at this year's World Cup.

"I am really happy for the match, not only individually but also for the whole team. I congratulate them on their efforts and we are improving all the time." he concluded.

Neymar scored Brazil's opener in the win and set up Roberto Firmino for their second as he continues to work his way back to full-match fitness after suffering a broken bone in his right foot playing for PSG in February.