Ivan Rakitic Still Avoids Watching Croatia’s 2018 World Cup Final Loss to France
Ivan Rakitic revealed he still can't watch any clips from Croatia's 2018 World Cup final loss to France. The former midfielder said the memory remains too painful to revisit, despite the team's incredible journey to their first-ever World Cup final in Moscow.
Heartbreak at Luzhniki Stadium
In the 2018 final held at Luzhniki Stadium, Croatia fell 4-2 to France. Rakitic played the entire match, playing a key role in the midfield as part of the Croatian team that stunned the world by reaching the final. Despite their impressive run, which included three consecutive knockout-stage comebacks, the disappointment of losing the final still weighs heavily on him.
"It was tough. To this day, I haven’t watched a single clip of that final, and if you played it now, I’d turn away," Rakitic said during a promotional event in Seville ahead of Croatia’s match against Spain.
Pride Amid Defeat
Even with the lingering sadness, Rakitic emphasized how proud the squad felt for what they achieved as a small nation with less than four million people. The team earned worldwide respect and admiration, not just for their football but also for the spirit they showed throughout the tournament.
"Ten minutes after losing, we felt immense pride because Croatia isn’t Spain; it’s very small, with a population not even reaching four million, but we achieved something special: we even won over the hearts and respect of so many people in France," he added.
Rakitic also mentioned the global messages of support he received, even though lifting the trophy was the ultimate wish.
Croatia Prepares for Nations League Clash
Looking ahead, Croatia will face Spain at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium on Tuesday night in their UEFA Nations League Group A3 fixture. After a 2-1 victory over Czechia in their opening match, Croatia aims to secure all three points to move above La Roja at the top of the group. The game in Andalusia promises to be a tough test for the Vatreni before their remaining fixtures in this international window.
- UEFA Nations League Matches:
- Belgium vs France: 28 Sept 2026, 21:45
- Spain vs Croatia: 29 Sept 2026, 21:45
