Luka Modrić looked goooood Sunday night in a 4-1 Real Madrid victory over Villarreal. The Croatia captain was voted ‘Man of the Match’ in 90 minutes played, perfectly assisting on Bellingham’s opening header, scoring the fourth goal, and had a wonderful shot from outside the box go just over the cross bar in the 1st half. Modrić received a 9/10 grade from Goal.com as he had a “A ridiculous pass set up Bellingham’s opener. Clipped the bar from outside the box. Spent most of his time dictating things in the final third. Grabbed a much-deserved goal to round off a masterful performance.”
38 years, 99 days: Luka Modrić became the oldest player to score and assist in the same game in Europe’s top five leagues this season
Per Managing Madrid, this was Luka Modrić’s third consecutive start and the first time that he’s reached that many games in a row in Carlo Ancelotti’s team all season. He took advantage of that to shine.
By scoring his first goal of the season after assisting Jude Bellingham for the opener, he becomes the oldest player in Europe’s top five leagues this season to both score and assist in the same game at 38 years and 99 days of age.
Lovro Majer scored the lone goal of the match as 10-man Wolfsburg pipped Darmstadt 1-0 Saturday. It’s Majer’s second Bundesliga goal of the season and first from open play. He cooly slotted home a low shot inside the far post after what looked like some confusion in the box. With the win, Wolfsburg move to 9th place on the Bundesliga table.
Joško Gvardiol got the start and played the full 90 minutes for Man City in a disappointing 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace. City were up 2-0 in the 75′ before conceding twice; with the equalizer coming from a penalty kick in injury time. Gvardiol received a 7/10 grade from 90min.com as he “Spent a lot of time as an extra attacker and was close to scoring.” He was not at fault for either Palace goal. Mateo Kovačič remained on the bench as an unused sub for City.
https://www.goalstube.online/2023/12/atalanta-salernitana.html?m=m5
Nice finish from Mario Pasalic today.
Nice! Way to thread the needle.
He does a decent nose for goal
May he get hot
Let’s hope the two pasalic’s come to Germany hot
Luka STILL has it!
Love to see him enjoy his football as he continues to play at 40!!!!
He looks like he can contribute to our next World Cup run in a limited role if he wanted it?
Luka rocking that 60/30 minute split to add his presence?!
Funny how when you play him higher up the pitch he scores and assists more.
Ancelotti e un genio.
Luka is so incredible. What a perfect champion for our small nation. Makes us so proud time and time again. What an absolute pleasure it has been watching his career. Whenever he decides to call it quits will be a sad day but do not forget to feel fortunate to have witnessed his elegance and grace. I truly hope I get to meet him one day and just say thank you. What a national hero, nas Luka ??????
Well hopefully you meet him before the Commie Croats and their mouthpieces in the media try to destroy him with perjury charges when he’s no longer playing.
They’ve been seething these past few years while waiting in the dark.
He has been so fun to watch. What a pleasure and an honor.
When he retires they have tapes of him enjoying Marko Thompson songs. There is still some room in the Simunic/ Boban/Kitarovic cell where they can play skupa. I trying my best to be a well behaved deplorable, in 2024, as my resolution. All I have to say is…….. Sretan Božić svima.
I may never have got to meet him, but my claim to fame was seeing him play in Hamilton, Ont., for the under-21 team. I think there were maybe only a few hundred people there? I think? At a CFL stadium. Best part is I didn’t even know who he was but kept raving about ‘that little blonde guy’ and a slo-pitch teammate a few years later said it was indeed Luka. (Srami se, gbvh.)
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http://hamiltoncroatia.com/history/newmillenium.php
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We did get to meet coach Bilic after and he was cool as shit and gave us autographs.
Based on this last game, he is definitely still of essential immense value and production come 2024, if only for the final 45 minute, if need be. Time will tell. That is amazing though @ near 40 years of age.
My wife was in Zagreb, to visit my family, and got a picture with him for our 5 year old son (also called Luka) who idolises him.
After watching Man City yesterday, does anyone think Gvardiol is looking more comfortable in his LB position?
Obviously he’s not playing poorly, but he still looks awkward on the wing with speedy opposing players. Lost a few easy passes as well.
Did not watch, but on the surface, I am not adverse to teams experimenting with him, and really testing his limits. Croatia only gains knowledge from these experiments, regarding truly understanding Gvardiol, who he is, and the best way to utilize him moving forward.
Glad they haven’t labeled him yet, kind of a unique situation and rare opportunity for all.
100% this.
He had his best game for City the other day. Starting to really take the game on and is using his above average foot skills to great effect.
He an Grealish are developing good understanding on the left too. Long term I still think he will play as a DCM,
https://cazn.in/qa84/
Modric goal.
https://streamin.me/v/dd945751
Lovely Modric assist.
Was just looking to find a link to post
Luka pulling his best luka impression
Lots of talks of him leaving.
I was reading
Man united
Dinamo
Ronaldo’s team
Miami
And another Saudi team who offered him stupid money potentially
https://streamin.me/v/790b86e6
Nice finish from Moro. He’s really starting to look like a nice backup piece for us. He’s still only 25 and is playing regularly for a Serie A team that is as of right now, in a Champions League spot.
Anyone with links for the dinamo game?
HRT2 is showing it, but you need to use a VPN.
Thanks Becar
Kova warming the pine. Exactly where he belongs.
Reports saying that Croatia will play 2 friendlies in North America in March. One vs Canada in Toronto and one vs Bolivia in Chicago
God forbid they do the right thing and play in the New York area.
It would bw funny if they pumped Canada 4-1 again.
Nah it would be funnier to have them spank the over rated always under achieving yanks 5-1 Maminjo!
I agree.
But I think you need to drop the whole Canada vs USA thing.
Your loyalties in football should lie strictly with Croatia.
No room for these lame little loyalties. It should be beneath you.
Any links to these reports ? Where did you read this ? Thanks.
Can’t imagine this is true. Why would Croatia travel to North America, in March, in Toronto, to play a friendly? Even if it was before the World Cup in North America in 2026, it wouldn’t make sense in March. They will likely play a European team in Europe in March.
Not to be out done by Slovenia who is playing a friendly with US in Texas as well in January. Go figure. Kek has the hot hand in the European football world, so they trying to follow suit. Best to mimic success.
https://www.goalstube.online/2023/12/darmstadt-98-vfl-wolfsburg.html?m=m1
Majer’s goal.
Excellent finish. Clever bit of movement to open a circle of space around the header, then great anticipation to read where it would drop very quickly, instant perfect touch with the left and perfect finish with his right boot. Bet kovac has been telling him to has got to use his right foot, he is that kind of manager.