JAKARTA - Luka Modric said the Croatian national team had confirmed their status as the best team in Group H of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers for the European zone after beating Russia 1-0 in the final match in Split on Sunday.
Despite needing an own goal from Russian full-back Fedor Kudyashov to win, Croatia did appear dominant over their visitors with 68 percent possession which they tried to convert with 19 attempts.
"It was a difficult match from the start because of the rain," Modric said after the match, quoted by Antara from the official UEFA website.
"We never give up, we continue to be patient and I think we deserved this victory. We are the best team in this group," he added.
The victory ensured Croatia, who were runners-up at the 2018 World Cup, won Group H with 23 points with a one-point advantage over Russia.
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Croatia also has a place in the 2022 World Cup finals, while Russia will have to go through the play-offs if they want to join Qatar.
This will be Croatia's sixth appearance at the World Cup finals in the last seven editions after only missing South Africa 2010.
Fronted by Modric and several experienced names such as Ivan Perisic, Domagoj Vida, and Dejan Lovren, Zlatko Dalic's team began to find new talents in Josip Brekalo, Lovro Majer, Nikola Vlasic, Josip Stanisic, and Borna Sosa.
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