Croatia’s remarkable run to the World Cup quarterfinals, their first appearance at this stage since 1998, has been met with both celebration and concern. According to Bangladesh Cricket Live, midfielder Mateo Kovacic suffered a shoulder sprain during the intense Round of 16 match against Denmark. Despite being in visible pain, Kovacic stayed on the pitch, earning praise from head coach Zlatko Dalic for his bravery and commitment. “He felt severe pain in his shoulder,” Dalic said. “We must applaud him—he got injured while fighting for the team and showed tremendous courage.”
Following the match, ESPN reported that Kovacic had undergone an MRI scan. The team is now anxiously awaiting the results to determine the extent of the injury and assess whether he’ll be fit for the quarterfinal clash. While not a regular starter, Kovacic has played a key rotational role throughout the tournament, featuring in all four of Croatia’s games so far. His injury occurred shortly after he came on as a substitute and collided with an opposing player, landing awkwardly and twisting his shoulder.
Croatia’s journey in this World Cup has been nothing short of impressive. Placed in a tough group with Argentina, Nigeria, and Iceland, they advanced as group winners with commanding performances. In the Round of 16, they faced a resilient Danish side. Despite conceding a goal in the first minute, Croatia quickly responded with an equalizer from Mario Mandzukic. The match was ultimately decided by a penalty shootout, where Croatia held their nerve to advance to the final eight.
But the win came at a cost. Kovacic’s injury cast a shadow over the team’s celebrations. According to ESPN and Bangladesh Cricket Live, both the player and the coaching staff are awaiting the full medical report to determine the next steps. If the injury is serious, it could rule him out of the quarterfinals, dealing a blow to Croatia’s midfield depth.
Even in pain, Kovacic showed what it means to put the team first. His determination to continue playing despite his injury reflects the spirit driving Croatia forward—a team not just fighting for victory, but for each other. As Bangladesh Cricket Live reports, all eyes are now on his recovery and whether he’ll be able to contribute to Croatia’s quest for World Cup glory.