After the World Cup final match against France on Sunday, Croatia’s coach Zlatko Dalic spoke to the press, commenting on the national team’s historic success in winning second place, after losing to France 4-2.

“I told the boys to keep their heads up, we have no reason to be unhappy, we gave it all we had and they can be proud,” he said, adding: “If someone had offered us second place before the Cup, we’d think that was fantastic. However, there is disappointment now because we were close. There is nothing to regret… We were gracious winners, we must be gracious when we lose as well.”

He congratulated France on their win.

“We were lucky in some matches, but today luck wasn’t on our side. This was perhaps our best game… You cannot make mistakes against France. We are sad, but we must be proud of what we’ve done,” he said.

He said the two past two months had been strenuous, but good, adding he would take some time off before making any future decisions.

“Although we didn’t become world champions, at least Luka (Modric) won Golden Ball. Luka played an incredible tournament and he deserved the award,” Dalic said.

Modric’s winning the award for best player of the tournament made him the best football player in Croatian history.

Dalic also commented on the VAR technology, which referee Pitana consulted before awarding a penalty shot to France in the first half of the match.

“As far as VAR is concerned, it’s fine when it works in your favour, and bad when it doesn’t,” Dalic said, adding VAR was a good thing for football.

Croatia is the smallest European country to ever play in a World Cup final.

“It says ‘small country, big dreams’ on the side of our bus. You have to have a dream and persevere. I thank all my players for what we’ve done. I am proud of my players and my country,” Dalic said.

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