Croatia’s record at the FIFA World Cup since finishing third for the first time in 1998, is bettered only by former champions France and Germany. In six editions, they’ve ended runners-up, have had two third place finishes and are now looking for another podium finish.Given their unimpressive start this time, not many will be counting them among the favourites. They started with a 4-2 defeat against England and an unconvincing 1-0 win over Panama. With their backs to the wall against Ghana in the concluding group-stage clash, Croatia finally put it across the Africans 2-1 to finish group runners-up.Now, up against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the Round of 32, former Croatian centre-back and coach Igor Stimac believes Croatia will now show its true colours.“There’s no team that likes to face Croatia in the knockout stages of the World Cup,” Stimac, now a commentator for broadcasters Zee5, told TOI over a recent video call. “That fear is normal when you are up against a side that has won three medals from six appearances. When it’s the knockout stage, Croatia is most feared. We’ve seen in the past what happens when you underestimate us.”Stimac was part of Croatia’s 1998 World Cup squad that famously finished third in 1998, a first for the country that was scarred by war and just seven years old as an independent nation. The result helped unite the nation.In 2018 when he was a television expert, Stimac was faced with questions in Moscow that amused him.“On the morning of the game, the guys running the (television) show asked me what Croatia can do against England in the semifinals. I told them it’s a wrong question to ask. The question should be what England can do against Croatia.“Here, history does not matter, it does not count if you have invented the game. It’s the mental strength that makes a difference,” said Stimac.Croatia won 2-1 to make it to the final for the first time, where they lost against France.We get our strength from history. The wars taught us to survive, to stay strong in difficult times. Through generations, that grit has been passed on to each one of us,” said Stimac, who had a five-year stint with India as national team coach between 2019 and 2024.“The World Cup is the biggest stage, every team is motivated. Every team has fantastic, skilful players, but when it’s a do-or-die game at the World Cup, Croatia’s mental strength and character is second to none,” he added.Croatia has one of the oldest teams at the tournament, with half of the starting squad into their 30s. Captain Luka Modric is 40. But while there are uneasy questions about age, and even form, their mentality can never be in doubt.“Football is not about age; it’s about fitness and how well you take care of your body. The strong heat during games could have an effect, but these experienced players know how to handle challenges,” he said.“Modric is a superstar without an ego. I’ve managed him so I know that he does whatever is needed for the team. So if there’s a need for him to be left on the bench, he will respect that decision. He’s a soldier, any coach would love to have him in their team,” said Stimac.The group-stage games, the World Cup bronze winner pointed out, were warmups. Now is the real test.“There are no second chances, you need to give whatever you have during those 90 minutes and extra time, if needed. Unlike many countries, we don’t have a huge pool of players to choose from. But whoever we have, they’ll fight as if their life depends on it,” said Stimac.
