14 June 2023 , 23:00
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Luka Modric left Liverpool star Cody Gakpo red-faced on Wednesday evening as Croatia booked their place in the Nations League final.
The Real Madrid veteran started against the Netherlands in the first semi-final of the tournament taking place in Rotterdam. Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell Malen had given the Dutch a dream start with his opener in the 34th minute.
Reds’ forward Gakpo then played a key role in his country relinquishing the lead. In the 55th minute of the tie, the forward saw his pocket pinched by Modric in the penalty area. In an effort to make up for his costly error, Gakpo then attempted to steal the ball away from the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner but only served to pull him down.
The referee was in no doubt as to his punishment as he signalled for a penalty. Former Leicester striker Andrej Kramaric equalised from the penalty spot before Mario Pasalic compounded Gakpo’s frustration as he put Croatia ahead just 17 minutes later. The Dutch thought they had earned themselves a reprieve late in the game as Noa Lang struck a 96th minute equaliser.
It was not to be as Croatia sealed victory in extra-time. Bruno Petkovic fired home in the 98th minute of proceedings before Modric rounded off the scoring four minutes from time with his own penalty after a foul from Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia.
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Zlatko Dalic’s side will now face either Spain or Italy in the final on Sunday as they attempt to become just the third-ever winners of the Nations League. Portugal and France both have one title each.
Cody Gakpo fouled Luka Modric for Croatia's equaliser (NOS/UEFA)Who do you think will win the Nations League? Share your predictions in the comments
A victory would also represent Croatia’s first-ever major title after reaching the final of the World Cup in 2018 and finishing in third place in Qatar last year. Depending on the result of the final, Modric could well come to a decision over his long-term international future.
There were suggestions that the 165-capped midfielder could potentially hang up his boots after the World Cup, something that he did not do. He vowed to continue into the Nations League campaign this summer but stopped short of confirming whether he would play beyond that.
Speaking earlier this week, he said: "I'm focused on the Nations League. I just want to think about the next games and not talk about other things.
“We are here to win the title and we are thinking about bringing it home. We have a good chance to win and we are looking for a great result here.
"We can talk about my future after this. I've made a decision but we will talk about it when the Nations League is over. I'm very focused on tomorrow's game.”
Modric is already his country’s all-time appearance maker with only Spurs star Ivan Perisic among the current crop anywhere near his total.