Dalić to Critics: This Croatia Deserves Respect, Not Doubt

Pulse Sports Team 09:09 - 28 June 2026

Croatia's head coach, Zlatko Dalić, couldn't hide his satisfaction after the 2-1 victory over Ghana, which secured the "Vatreni's" spot in the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup. Following the match, the experienced tactician took the opportunity to address critics who had questioned the team's quality after a shaky start to the tournament. After a 4-2 defeat to England and a narrow 1-0 win against Panama, the Croatians finished second in Group L, advancing to the knockout stages where they are set to face Portugal.

"I congratulate the players on qualifying for the knockout phase. It was a tough match, but I believe Croatia played an excellent tactical game and positioned themselves very well. We are once again where we were eight years ago. However, this is just the first step towards our goal. There were too many doubts about the quality of this squad, and some of the comments were frankly pathetic. This national team deserves far more respect. We have incredible fans who support us whether we win or lose. The players deserve to be valued for everything they have done for Croatia and for their people. Luka is phenomenal. That's his character, his energy. He knows this is likely his last World Cup and he's doing everything he can to help the team. I hope he stays healthy and remains with us for as long as possible," Dalić stated.

In the Round of 16, Croatia will face Ronaldo and company in Toronto in what promises to be one of the most intriguing clashes of the first knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup.