Croatia's maestro Luka Modric returns to form to prolong his World Cup farewell

Croatia’s Luka Modric is showing renewed form as his World Cup farewell approaches, extending his side’s progress with leadership against Ghana. The midfielder, just a couple of months shy of turning 41, produced the decisive impact in Croatia’s 2-1 win over Ghana, a result that kept the team on track for knockout qualification. Modric’s international career includes 201 appearances, with his first cap coming before the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He has spent 13 years at club level with Real Madrid and then moved to Milan in 2025.

In Philadelphia on Saturday, Croatia needed at least a point to secure advancement, and Modric, with Mateo Kovacic, controlled the midfield in the first half. Ghana adjusted after halftime under coach Carlos Queiroz, switching tactics with a 4-4-2 shape that changed the game’s momentum. Despite Ghana’s increased pressure, Modric repeatedly intervened defensively and created the match-winning moment, setting up Nicola Vlasic for the winner after Ghana had equalized. Queiroz called Modric “the maestro,” noting opponents have struggled to contain him for years.