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Bosnia Will Play with Hearts in World Cup Opener, Says Coach Barbarez

Sergej Barbarez, head coach of Bosnia and Herzegovina, attends the press conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Getty Images/AFP)
Sergej Barbarez, head coach of Bosnia and Herzegovina, attends the press conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Bosnia Will Play with Hearts in World Cup Opener, Says Coach Barbarez

Sergej Barbarez, head coach of Bosnia and Herzegovina, attends the press conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Getty Images/AFP)
Sergej Barbarez, head coach of Bosnia and Herzegovina, attends the press conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Getty Images/AFP)

Bosnia and Herzegovina know they are underdogs heading into their World Cup Group B opener against co-hosts Canada, coach Sergej Barbarez said on Thursday, but the Balkan nation will play with pride as they return to the tournament for the first time in 12 years.

Bosnia will look to advance past the group stage this time around after managing one win during their 2014 debut in Brazil.

"We are a small country," Barbarez said. "This is our second ever World ‌Cup and for ‌sure we are sort of an underdog in ‌many ⁠of the matches ⁠ahead."

But despite his side being ranked 64th, the coach is confident in his side's ability to perform on the world's biggest stage.

"If you know our results, I think you have to just admire what we've managed to achieve."

Bosnia claimed one of the six final spots in the World Cup after defeating three-times champions Italy in a penalty shootout. They are heartbreakers who ⁠play with heart and will look to carry that ‌same mentality into the tournament.

"(I once said) ‌I love this game between David and Goliath," Barbarez said. "We play with our ‌hearts and that has been our advantage."

The Dragons are led by ‌40-year-old striker Edin Dzeko, who Barbarez confirmed will be in the squad for Friday's match after overcoming a shoulder injury.

Dzeko is Bosnia's all-time leading scorer with 73 goals.

"Edin will be with us tomorrow," Barbarez said. "Edin will be playing just ‌as usual."

CANADA GAME WILL BE 'QUITE INTENSE'

Barbarez is expecting a tough game against Canada, who are also ⁠aiming to reach ⁠the knockout stage for the first time but face the added pressures of chasing their first ever World Cup win and playing on home soil.

"I am maybe exaggerating a bit, but I'm sure (the game) is going to be quite intense, which is characteristic of both the teams," Barbarez said.

While Canada will have the local crowd behind them, Bosnia will not be without strong support. The Dragons have enjoyed a warm welcome since arriving in Toronto, with fans flocking to the team's training sessions this week.

"We really want to show our best to the whole world," Barbarez said. "We really want to be the team that earns respect and we can only do that by showing what we know on the pitch."

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‘Inspired Millions’: Modric Praised as World Cup Career Appears at End

Luka Modric #10 of Croatia acknowledges the fans after a 1-2 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia at Toronto Stadium on July 02, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Getty Images/AFP)
Luka Modric #10 of Croatia acknowledges the fans after a 1-2 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia at Toronto Stadium on July 02, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Getty Images/AFP)
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‘Inspired Millions’: Modric Praised as World Cup Career Appears at End

Luka Modric #10 of Croatia acknowledges the fans after a 1-2 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia at Toronto Stadium on July 02, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Getty Images/AFP)
Luka Modric #10 of Croatia acknowledges the fans after a 1-2 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia at Toronto Stadium on July 02, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Getty Images/AFP)

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic and Portugal's Roberto Martinez paid tribute on Thursday to Luka Modric, who almost certainly played his last World Cup match.

After a gut-wrenching 2-1 loss to Portugal in Toronto, Croatia midfielder Modric, 40, shared a long exchange with 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo -- two football greats nearing the end of their international playing careers.

"This was probably his last World Cup, and I'm sorry that it ended this way," said an emotional Dalic. "He has shown his quality and his character and of course he was leading Croatia until the very end."

Martinez lauded the Croatian great for having "inspired millions of kids."

"His example is going to stay in the folklore of football forever," Portugal's coach told reporters, highlighting Modric's in-match thinking.

It's not often that "we talk about that player that can put his foot on the ball and make a decision. I think Modric is the beautiful example of that.

"Depending on how the game goes, he finds the space, he makes the right call. It's incredible to see him play," Martinez said, praising Modric for playing "the game like a young man."

Modric was the driving force behind Croatia's runner-up finish at the 2018 World Cup and their third-place finish in Qatar four years ago.

Ronaldo and Modric, who won four Champions Leagues in six seasons together at Real Madrid, have long defied Father Time but have shown their age in the 2026 tournament.

Ronaldo, who group stage performance was criticized, played his role in Thursday's victory, stroking home an equalizing second-half penalty.

Dalic said Modric was one of Croatia's "key players" on Thursday.

The AC Milan midfielder marked his 200th international appearance in a group-stage match last month, and was hoisted in the air by his teammates following that June 23 victory over Panama.

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Croatia Coach Dalic Slams ‘Bad Refereeing’ in 2-1 Loss to Portugal

Zlatko Dalic, head coach of Croatia, looks on before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia at Toronto Stadium on July 02, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Getty Images/AFP)
Zlatko Dalic, head coach of Croatia, looks on before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia at Toronto Stadium on July 02, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Croatia Coach Dalic Slams ‘Bad Refereeing’ in 2-1 Loss to Portugal

Zlatko Dalic, head coach of Croatia, looks on before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia at Toronto Stadium on July 02, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Getty Images/AFP)
Zlatko Dalic, head coach of Croatia, looks on before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia at Toronto Stadium on July 02, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Getty Images/AFP)

Croatia coach Zlatko ‌Dalic was unhappy with what he called the "bad refereeing" in his team's 2-1 loss to Portugal in their round of 32 clash on Thursday that eliminated them from the World Cup but said he did not want to use it as an excuse.

Portugal were awarded a penalty after a Video Assistant Referee review, which Cristiano Ronaldo slotted home to tie the game before Goncalo Ramos fired them ahead in the 94th minute.

Drama ensued late in stoppage time when Josko Gvardiol thought he had ‌equalized but a ‌review showed the ball touched Igor Matanovic ‌on ⁠the way through, ⁠which made Gvardiol offside, and Norwegian referee Espen Eskas awarded a penalty.

"It was very bad refereeing," Dalic told reporters, saying he felt his team should have been given more free kicks.

"But Croatia lost. I'm not going to find any excuses," the 59-year-old added. "We could have won this earlier."

Dalic said his team did ⁠not create enough chances in the first half ‌and looked much better in the ‌second but ultimately their luck from the previous two World Cups ‌had run out.

Croatia finished runners-up in 2018 and third in ‌2022 but will leave without a medal this time around.

It was also likely 40-year-old captain Luka Modric's last chance to win the sport's greatest prize -- and his final match at the tournament -- after being ‌Croatia's heartbeat for years.

"Well, this was probably his last World Cup," Dalic said of the midfielder. "And ⁠I'm sorry ⁠that it ended this way."

But while the curtain is closing on this era of Croatian football, Dalic said the national side's future was bright.

"I'm not afraid for the future of the Croatian team," Dalic added. "We have a lot of young players coming in and some of them have shown the quality today.

"We've come to an end of a wonderful era," he added. "And some new beginnings await us."

As for his own future, Dalic, who has led Croatia since 2017, did not offer any insight.

"God knows what will happen in the next World Cup, but we'll talk about it in Croatia," he said.

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Portugal Manager Martinez Praises Referee After World Cup Win Over Croatia

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Portugal v Croatia - Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada - July 2, 2026 Portugal coach Roberto Martinez reacts with Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic after the match as Croatia are eliminated and Portugal qualify for the Round of 16 of the World Cup. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Portugal v Croatia - Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada - July 2, 2026 Portugal coach Roberto Martinez reacts with Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic after the match as Croatia are eliminated and Portugal qualify for the Round of 16 of the World Cup. (Reuters)
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Portugal Manager Martinez Praises Referee After World Cup Win Over Croatia

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Portugal v Croatia - Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada - July 2, 2026 Portugal coach Roberto Martinez reacts with Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic after the match as Croatia are eliminated and Portugal qualify for the Round of 16 of the World Cup. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Portugal v Croatia - Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada - July 2, 2026 Portugal coach Roberto Martinez reacts with Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic after the match as Croatia are eliminated and Portugal qualify for the Round of 16 of the World Cup. (Reuters)

Portugal coach ‌Roberto Martinez said his team deserved their 2-1 win over Croatia in the round of 32 at the World Cup on Thursday and praised the referee for getting the big decisions right in a pulsating match that lived up to its billing.

Portugal were awarded a penalty after a Video Assistant Referee review, which Cristiano Ronaldo slotted home to cancel out Ivan Perisic's opener. Goncalo Ramos then netted a stoppage-time header ‌to put Portugal ‌in front.

Croatia looked to have equalized ‌at ⁠the very end, ⁠but the last-gasp effort was ruled offside after another VAR review, prompting the team's supporters in the south end of Toronto Stadium to shower the pitch with debris.

"There were no bad decisions. Today we were fortunate," said Martinez when asked if Croatia had been ⁠robbed of a second goal by VAR.

"The ‌chip ball showed that ‌it was offside, the penalty was also clear. I understand ‌the work of (Croatia coach Zlatko) Dalic in this ‌team and it is shame that there was only one winner today."

Dalic had a different opinion on the officiating in the match, saying he was unhappy with the "bad refereeing".

Portugal ‌will next play Spain in the round of 16 in Dallas, and Martinez expected ⁠a high-quality ⁠encounter between two European heavyweights.

"We respect the quality of Spain. I think it is going to be a fantastic match, it is going to be the European game of this World Cup," he said.

When asked how he deals with nerves during such crucial games, Martinez said he had learned to keep his emotions in check and that it was important to remain rational and calm.

Thursday's match had taken a toll though, he added.

"I have lost my hair through this, but I think it is worth it."