“Football is a cruel game”, “Can’t love football and dislike Modric” - X heartbroken as Luka Modric and Croatia suffer last-minute Euro 2024 exit
Fans are disheartened after Luka Modric's Croatia were eliminated from Euro 2024 after drawing against Italy on Monday, June 24. The match ended in a 1-1 draw at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig.
After a goalless first half, Croatia opened the scoring through Modric in the 55th minute after the midfielder had missed a penalty just a minute earlier. With the Vatreni almost securing a crucial win, the Italians found an equalizer in the dying seconds of the game via Mattia Zaccagni (90+8') from an assist by Riccardo Calafiori.
Fans took to social media to empathisize with the 38-year-old midfielder, who could not make it further than the group stage with his nation in his final European Championship. While some expressed their sympathies for Luka Modric despite scoring in the game, others hailed the Player of the Match as a legend. Here are some of their reactions on X (formerly Twitter):
One fan wrote:
"Pity about Modric. Football is a cruel game. Italians with their trademark crap group stage performance, now they will probably gear up and shithouse their way to the final with some penalty shootout wins."
Another added:
"You can't love football and dislike Modric at the same time.. There's a difference between football fans and Madrid fans Wisdom 🙌"
"Crushed for Luka Modric 💔," chimed in another.
One account posted:
"Luka Modric 💔"
Another said:
"Italy last minute dagger to make it 1-1. Feel sorry for Modric 💔"
"Gutted for Luka Modric 🥺 You are a Legend ❤️," posted another.
One user wrote:
"What a game. What a heartbreak for Croatia 😂😂😭😭😭😭"
While another wrote:
"Modric didn’t deserve that 💔"
Modric, who made his senior debut for Croatia in 2006, has netted 26 goals and provided 29 assists in 178 appearances for the Vatreni.
Luka Modric opens up after Croatia draw against Italy in Euro 2024
After the heartbreaking 1-1 draw against Italy in Euro 2024, Croatia captain Modric said (via @MadridXtra on X):
"I don’t know what to say…"
"Football can be very cruel, and that is what happened to us tonight."
The Real Madrid star apologized to the fans after being eliminated from Euro 2024 in the group stage.
"We're sorry that it wasn't the victory needed to go to the next round," he said.
With his opening goal for Croatia against Italy on Monday night, Modric become the oldest goalscorer at the European Championships at 38 years and 289 days old. The previous record was held by Austrian's Ivica Vastic, who was 38 years, 257 days old when he scored against Poland at Euro 2008.