'Utterly sublime': Euro 2020 gobsmacked by Luka Modric worldie
Luka Modric sent the football world into a frenzy after breaking Scotland's chances of advancing with an incredible curling effort in their deciding Euro 2020 Group Stage match.
Nikola Vlasic and Ivan Perisic were also on target for Croatia in a victory that lifted Zlatko Dalic's side, so leggy and unconvincing in their first two games, to second in Group D on four points.
'SHAMEFUL': Rainbow ban sparks incredible Euro 2020 protests
EPIC: Football world erupts over 'insane' scenes at Euro 2020
They finished ahead, on goals scored, of the Czech Republic, who lost 1-0 to group winners England.
Croatia next face the runner-up of Group E - where Sweden, Slovakia, Spain and Poland are all still jockeying for position - in Copenhagen on June 28.
But the talk of the match was the mercurial Modric after he goal at 1-1, to lift Croatia ahead in the 62nd minute.
Football world praises Modric
The Real Madrid maestro received the ball at the top of the box and using sublime technique, curled the ball using the outside of his foot in the top left corner.
The goal marked an incredible milestone for the midfield great.
Modric was the youngest ever Croatian goalscorer at the Euros and his goal against Scotland, at 35 years old, made him the oldest Croatian goalscorer at the Euros for his nation.
—Scores ridiculous outside-of-the-boot goal
—Oldest and youngest Croatian to score in the Euros
—Leads Croatia to second place in Group D
Luka Modric appreciation tweet 🙌 pic.twitter.com/TVojqNiizZ— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 22, 2021
Modric leads Croatia into the next round with a majestic display 🆚 Scotland:
115 touches
88% pass accuracy
27 final third passes
5 ball recoveries
1 assist
1 utterly sublime goal
Pure class. 🇭🇷#CROSCO #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/MPiE7deUGK— Sport360° (@Sport360) June 22, 2021
Goal of the tournament so far from this man?#EURO2020 #CRO pic.twitter.com/CSH62PjuaT
— AS English (@English_AS) June 22, 2021
Bow down to greatness..♥️
One Lukita modric 🔥🔥🙌#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/LiorILRmg1— Football (@Futbol318) June 22, 2021
Modric said after his brilliant goal he felt it was going in after it left his boot.
"When I hit it, I knew it was going in," Modric said, with a smile on his face, in his post-match interview.
with AAP
Watch 'Mind Games', the new series from Yahoo Sport Australia exploring the often brutal mental toil elite athletes go through in pursuit of greatness:
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.
