The Croatian national football team successfully completed another qualification round and practically secured a place in the World Cup.
The Croatians defeated Gibraltar (3:0) last night in Varaždin, so they are in first place in Group L with 16 points and have three points more and a match less than the second-placed Czech Republic. Croatia's goal difference is also impressive - 20:1.
The World Cup, which will be held next year in the USA, Canada and Mexico, will be Croatia's 14th major competition. The "Fiery Ones" missed out on the 2000 European Championship and the 2010 World Cup.
They won silver in 2018 and bronze in 1998 and 2022.
"Croatia is definitely a world football powerhouse, look at the results we've been getting lately, who has achieved something like that? And, this group wasn't the easiest, but it was well-deserved. Everyone values us much more than we do ourselves. We've spoiled everyone around us a bit, but we have to be realistic. We've achieved results and some want to destroy our unity, but we're one big family," said Dalić.
The Croats will certainly play in the World Cup, but qualifying alone is not enough for Dalić.
"The defense is solid and responsible, we have raised that to a higher level and have really become very high-quality. However, we need to improve the transition, because we are too slow, we need to play more vertically. And we need to solve the situation with the attackers... We need a transition, we need fast players. The national team will not escape anyone. But we cannot call up a player after two good games. Along with them, we need to find a more versatile attacker who will compete with the existing ones. The doors are open to everyone and I can't wait for someone to impose themselves with 10 or 15 games in a row," concluded the Croatian coach.
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