Croatia’s manager Zlatko Dalic criticized the decision to give Argentina a penalty in Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat to La Albiceleste in the World Cup semifinals.
Croatia’s manager brace helped Argentina qualify for Sunday’s final when they face France or Morocco.
However, before Alvarez scored a goal, he earned his team a penalty in the first half with a fast back-to-front move from a goal kick. He tried to lob the ball over Dominik Livakovic. Although his effort was blocked, the Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper took him down while attempting to make a stop, and a penalty kick was granted, which Lionel Messi converted.
Dalic said in his post-match news conference that his team was mistreated twice before the first goal.
“The initial objective is quite suspect, to be honest. First, there was an issue with the corner. According to the response of our players, Croatia should have been awarded a corner kick. Then there was the matter of the punishment… It was a little too inexpensive and simple “he commented.
After guiding Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final, Dalic, a national hero, was asked whether he would remain as manager.
“I will proceed,” he affirmed. “My contract extends until 2024, after the conclusion of the European Championships, the Nations League, and World Cup qualifiers. I want to lead Croatia to Euro 2024.”
