World Cup 2018: Croatia renewed after exorcising the ghosts of Vienna

They will face Russia in Sochi this weekend after outlasting Denmark in a topsy-turvy last-16 clash on Sunday night

For Luka Modric, manager Zlatko Dalic and for all Croatians, it was impossible not to think back to the quarter-final of Euro 2008.

Facing Turkey in Vienna, Croatia thought they had won it when Ivan Klasnic scored in the last minute of extra-time. But Semih Senturk equalised with the last kick of the match, dragging the tie to penalties, and Croatia collapsed. They lost the shoot-out 3-1 and had not won a knock-out game since. 10 years on, the players still hurt when they look back.

That was was what they were all fearing in Nizhny Novogorod on Sunday night. Facing a penalty shoot-out they never wanted, after Modric had missed from the spot with five minutes of extra-time left. But this time they did it, beating Denmark and reaching the quarter-finals. They will face Russia in Sochi this weekend.

Croatia's midfielder Ivan Rakitic (L) celebrates after scoring the decisive penalty (AFP/Getty Images)

Dalic spoke afterwards about the shadow of 2008 that had finally been lifted. “After Modric’s miss we all thought back to Vienna,” he said. “But you have to earn your luck. The Lord has been with us and repaid us for our faith.”

Modric was delighted that the team have finally won a knock-out game - in the hardest possible circumstances - after so many years of trying.

“It says a lot [about this team], it says a lot,” Modric said “Because it was not an easy game. I said yesterday, from 2008 we never passed this first [knockout] game. And it was very important for us to take the monkey off the back. And we did it.”

Ever since that night in Vienna, this Croatian generation, with Modric at its heart, has desperately underachieved. They didn’t reach World Cup 2010, went out in the groups at Euro 2012 and World Cup 2014, and then were knocked out late in extra-time in the last-16 in Euro 2016. They looked like destined to freeze whenever the pressure was on. Much of this game left like their last-16 exit to Portugal in Lens two years ago. Especially when Modric missed that penalty. Until everything changed in the shoot-out.

“It was not easy, because Turkey game was still in our minds,” Modric said. “I think in everyone's mind. Because it was so tough for us, that defeat. But now, with this, I think we can forget about it. We need to focus on our next match."

Modric bounced back from his missed penalty in extra-time (Reuters)

Modric was the hero, more than ever, for how he stepped up to take a penalty just 15 minutes after missing one at the end. During his mixed-zone interview, which he conducted in Croatian, Spanish and English, goalkeeper Danijel Subasic hugged him and kissed him on the head as if he were a religious figure. To this team, he almost is.

“It can happen that you miss a penalty,” Dalic said. “But he was determined to take the responsibility as true captain and that speaks volumes about his character.”

Modric never lets his nerves show on the pitch and he spoke about how important it was that he kept his cool, even in such difficult circumstances. “Especially, after missing a penalty in the last few minutes of the match, you should have big character and team spirit,” Modric said. “Doing everything to stay calm, stay focused everyone and to win the game.”

Modric slotted home in the shootout (EPA)

But now everyone can look forward to a quarter-final against Russia in Sochi this weekend. Croatia are by far the better team, although Spain felt the same way going into their last-16 tie with the hosts and it cost them.

Dalic promised that Croatia will not let their guard down and will play “without arrogance”, which felt like a response to Spain’s disaster earlier on Sunday. But if they play like they can, and use the positive power of this, then why can’t they start to look towards the semis and beyond?

“You can’t go through without difficulties,” Dalic said. “The lads have seen the work put in is being repaid. Teams with individuals are out. True teams win and go through."