World Cup 2022: Kroos Differs With Modric After Croatia v Argentina Game

• Toni Krooos has expressed his satisfaction with the penalty decision against Croatia in their game against Argentina
• The penalty which was converted by Lionel Messi sparked widespread reactions led by Kroos' club teammate Luka Modric
• Croatia failed in their pursuit to make it to back-to-back World Cup finals with Argentina setting up a showdown against France

Toni Kroos has disagreed with his Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric over the eligibility of the penalty awarded against Croatia on December 13th.

Croatia played Argentina in the first semifinal of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The deadlock was broken after referee Daniele Orsato gave Argentina a penalty after goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic was adjudged to have hauled down Julian Alvarez.

Lionel Messi stepped up to score the resultant penalty to put the Albiceleste on course for a huge 3-0 win. Croatia players were angered by the decision with the Video Assistant Referee seemingly agreeing with the on-field decision.

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Mateo Kovacic was actually booked for disagreeing with the decision as the Croatia players milled around Orsato. After the game, Modric called the Italian official 'a disaster.'

However, Kroos was of a different opinion. The 32-year-old opined that the penalty was a valid call, and the referee was right to issue it.

"Argentina's penalty against Croatia? It is a penalty for me. No wrong decision," as quoted by Madrid Extra.

The retired German midfielder however admitted that Croatia deserved to be given a corner kick seconds before the penalty decision.

Croatia will play Morocco in the third-place playoff on Saturday.

Modric's message to Argentina

Sports Brief had earlier reporetd that Luka Modric put his national rivalry aside and disappointment to wish Lionel Messi well in the upcoming World Cup final. Messi's Argentina dumped Modric's Croatia on December 13th to qualify for their second final in 8 years.

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Messi, in his usual superior form, opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Julian Alvarez had been hacked down in the penalty area.

Alvarez then added the second goal before half-time before rounding off the scoring in the second half, benefitting from a splendid Messi assist.