In case you didn’t already know, Croatia are the new Unofficial Football World Champions. It wasn’t a classic performance by any means in Nizhny Novgorod but Croatia did just enough to sneak past Denmark after a dramatic affair. That result bodes well for the European side as they seek a maiden World Cup trophy.
It looked like the Danes were destined to win after Kasper Schmeichel saved Luka Modric’s penalty in extra-time but Croatia came out on top in the end. Their first title defence will now take place against Russia in Sochi on July 7th.
UFWC Champions to become World Cup 2018 winners?
On paper, Croatia have the quality to keep the UFWC trophy for a very long time. The Group D winners
are unbeaten in their last five international matches and it would take a brave man to back against the Croatians at this moment in time.
Despite their woes in that clash with Denmark, the European outfit have looked dangerous so far this summer and plenty of neutrals will be keeping an eye on Croatia ahead of the quarter-finals. Labelled dark horses ahead of the group stages, they are now regarded as genuine contenders.
Croatia looked disjointed against Denmark on Sunday night and punters will be concerned after that performance. Russia snagged the result of the tournament so far, beating Spain on penalties after a dogged defensive display and Zlatko Dalic’s side will need to improve in order to defeat the host nation.
As of July 2nd,
Croatia are 10/1 in bet365’s football betting odds for World Cup 2018 glory this summer and it would take a brave man to back against them based on their group stages form. That 3-0 win over Argentina will go down in Croatian folklore as one of their greatest ever results.
Fortune Favours the Brave - Croatia Cannot Be Ruled Out
There was a real element of luck about Mario Mandzukic’s leveller against Denmark but you need good fortune at major tournaments. Croatia are full of confidence and the manner of that victory will give Dalic’s men a real boost.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/CUK78X8ZG9I
They were some way below their brilliant best but they are now UFWC champions and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see Croatia push on and challenge for the Jules Rimet Trophy this summer. You won't find too many fans ruling a famous World Cup 2018 victory out just yet.
Defending the UFWC title is no easy feat but Croatia are just two title defences away from the World Cup 2018 final. The European outfit claimed the UFWC crown for the first time in their illustrious history on Sunday evening and they
could be destined for more success in the coming weeks.
Write Croatia off at your peril; Dalic’s men are on the verge of something special and the UFWC champions could become World Cup 2018 champions on July 15th if everything goes to plan. Croatia are now THE team that everybody wants to beat.
