Modric and Co taking inspiration from war heroes

LUKA MODRIC believes the Croatian fight for independence is driving them to take on the world.

- SIMON MULLOCK

The Real Madrid midfielder, 37, is the heartbeat of a side that just refuses to be beaten.

Zlatko Dalic’s team will face Argentina for the right to qualify for a second successive World Cup final after they came from behind to beat both Japan and Brazil on penalties.

And Modric feels it is the spirit that enabled the Croats to win their war of independence 20 years ago that has come to the fore in Qatar.

He said: “Nobody believed we could reach the semi-final but we have.

“This team is made of players who are desperate to wear the shirt and want to show the world how much it weighs.

“We are all driven to play for our country and for the shirt.

“We fought a lot to win our independence as a nation and we continue to fight for the last drop.”