“Man Deserves Gold”: Fans Sympathise With Modric After Nations League Heartbreak

• Football fans have consoled mercurial Croatian midfielder Luka Modric
• The country agonisingly missed out on winning the UEFA Nations League
• This is the second competition final Modric's Croatia has lost in five years

Spain delivered a heartbreaking blow to Luka Modric and Croatia, triumphing over them in a thrilling penalty shootout to claim the 2023 UEFA Nations League title.

Despite Croatia's impressive journey to their second-ever final in a major tournament, they fell agonisingly short once again.

After a goalless draw that extended to 120 minutes, the match had to be settled by penalties, an area where Croatia has excelled in the past.

However, Spain outwitted the resilient Croatian side this time, with Dani Carvajal's audacious panenka penalty securing a 5-4 victory, the BBC reports.

La Roja's triumph served as redemption for their previous disappointment, but for Vatreni captain, Modric, it cast a shadow over his illustrious career, potentially leaving him without an international trophy, per Reuters.

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The devastated 2018 Ballon d'Or recipient experienced the anguish of losing a final once again, prompting an outpouring of sympathy from fans on social media who recognised the heart-wrenching nature of the result for the esteemed Real Madrid midfielder.

How football fans consoled Modric

@ClinicalBruno39 tweeted:

"Man deserves gold."

@Roy44nopxc3d said Modric's legacy would not be erased only due to his inability to win an international trophy:

"Doesn’t need an international trophy to prove anything. Still the GOAT."

@Goal432 asserted:

"Modric is the greatest player of this generation. Leading his nation to their first two finals in history. Winning 5 CLs with Madrid after they didn't win it for 12 years."

@AchebeWildernes summarized:

"A very sad sight. Such a talented and loveable player."

@thukziin_otf bemoaned Modric's ill luck with Croatia:

"That was a great game, but I'm saddened that our Modric will retire without a major trophy for his national team. I was really looking forward for Croatia to win this trophy but his teammates let him down."

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Spain breaks Modric, Croatia hearts

Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Carvajal chipping home a penalty to win Spain the Nations League on Sunday, with a shootout going 5-4 against Croatia's favour.

La Roja goalkeeper, Unai Simon denied Lovro Mayer and Bruno Petkovic from the spot before a cheeky chip earned Spain their first trophy since Euro 2012 glory.

Zlatko Dalic's side has never won a major trophy and were hoping Nations League success would cap a glittering international career for captain, Luka Modric.