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Luka Modric names ‘favourite’ to win the World Cup ahead of quarter-final ties.
Even though Croatia is expected to face the five-time champions in the World Cup quarterfinal in Qatar, Luka Modric feels Brazil are the “favorites” to win the tournament.
In order to advance to the semifinals, Croatia, the 2018 World Cup’s defeated finalists, must defeat Brazil on Friday afternoon at the Education City Stadium.
Brazil won convincingly 4-1 over South Korea in the round of 16 to position itself as a World Cup contender after finishing first in Group G.
Croatia, on the other hand, advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Japan on penalties despite only winning one of their group games and finishing second in Group F.
‘Our greatest game of the World Cup might still be ahead of us,’ Modric said. ‘We have done a great thing by reaching the quarter-finals – but we want even more.
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‘Brazil are always one of the big favourites in every World Cup, but what they have shown in this tournament is that this time they deserve to be favourites.
‘We have faced Brazil before on several occasions and not won. We believe this can change.
‘We will have to play at a high tempo, keep them under control, be strong and assertive and not let them out of sight. Like I say, Brazil are the favourites – but we have seen that even the favourites can be beaten.’
At the age of 37, Real Madrid legend Modric is surely playing in his final World Cup, having played in each tournament since 2006.
‘I’m not focused on the future,’ he added. ‘I am focused 100 percent on this World Cup and there will be a time afterwards to think about what happens next.
‘I’ll see how long I can play for the national team when the time is right. Unfortunately, I don’t have a formula or recipe for regeneration. If someone else knows the secret on how to remain young, then please come to me.’