Liverpool's Dutch striker Cody Gakpo looks on during the English FA Cup third round football match between Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield in Liverpool, north-west England on January 7, 2023. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Legendary Croatian player Luka Modric has the chance to help his country win a big prize, but on the route to the UEFA Nations League final, he had to humiliate Cody Gakpo of Liverpool.
Croatia secured their spot in the Nations League final on Wednesday night thanks to Luka Modric, who made Liverpool star Cody Gakpo seem embarrassed.
Liverpool’s Dutch striker Cody Gakpo looks on during the English FA Cup third round football match between Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield in Liverpool, north-west England on January 7, 2023. – – RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
The Real Madrid veteran made his tournament debut against the Netherlands in Rotterdam’s opening semi-final. Donyell Malen, a forward for Borussia Dortmund, scored the game’s first goal for the Netherlands in the 34th minute.
Then, the Reds forward Gakpo significantly contributed to his nation losing the lead. The attacker had his pocket grabbed by Modric in the penalty area in the 55th minute of the match. Gakpo then attempted to swipe the ball away from the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner in an effort to atone for his costly mistake, but his attempt only served to pull him down.
When he gave the penalty signal, the referee had no doubts about the severity of his punishment. Andrej Kramaric, a former Leicester striker, restored parity from the spot before Mario Pasalic added insult to injury by giving Croatia the lead just 17 minutes later. With Noa Lang’s equalizer in the 96th minute, the Dutch believed they had earned a reprieve late in the game.
It was unsuccessful because Croatia won in overtime. Following a foul by Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia, Bruno Petkovic scored in the 98th minute, and Modric completed the scoring four minutes later with his own penalty.
Now, Zlatko Dalic’s team will try to win the championship on Sunday against either Spain or Italy.
to become only the third Nations League champions in history. France and Portugal each have one title.
Who do you predict will take home the Nations League trophy? Post your forecasts in the comments section.
In addition, a victory would be Croatia’s first major championship after the country made the World Cup final in 2018 and placed third in Qatar the previous year. Modric may decide on his long-term international future depending on how the final plays out.
After the World Cup, there were rumors that the 165-cap midfielder might hang up his boots, but he did not do that. He promised to play on through the summer’s Nations League campaign but refrained from saying whether he would play on after that.
He said: “I’m focused on the Nations League” earlier this week. All I want to do is reflect.
the upcoming games without talking about anything else.
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