WORLD CUP ROSSONERI: ANTE REBIĆ

From his debut (where he scored) in August 2013 to the Round of 16 at Euro 2020. Ante Rebić boasts a long career with the national team, 42 total appearances with the Croatian senior team, complete with three goals scored during those eight years. A career that reached its peak in Croatia's trip to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the second for the Rossoneri 12 after Brazil 2014.

During the Russia 2018 campaign, the Croatian national team amazed the world by reaching the highest peak in its history. Second place in the Russian summer surpassed the Croats' best finish in the tournament: third place in France '98, which also represented their first-ever participation in a World Cup. Until 1992, in fact, Croatia did not have its own national team as the Croatian state was incorporated into Yugoslavia.

Having arrived in Russia fresh from an elimination in the group stage four years earlier in Brazil and, more recently, exiting Euro 2016 in the round of 16 at the hands of Portugal, the Russian World Cup began without too many expectations for the national team of Rebić and former Rossoneri Mandžukić. Surprising everyone, however, Croatia ended Group D as undisputed champions, finishing with nine points against Argentina, Nigeria and Iceland.

After the 2-0 win in the opener over Nigeria, the time had come for Croatia to face their most fearsome obstacle, in the form of Messi's Argentina. It was precisely in that match that Rebić left his mark: after a balanced and tense first half, a flash from Ante opened the scoring and launched the Croatians on. At the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, the Rossoneri player took advantage in the 53rd minute of an erroneous clearance by Caballero to thunder in with a quality right-footed volley. The Rossoneri's goal ignited the Croatian side, who rounded off the scoring in the final minutes with goals from Modrić and Rakitić to make it 3-0.

The treble against the Argentinians represented the first victory for the Croatians against a South American side in the tournament, after four consecutive defeats. More importantly, it gave new life and awareness to the Dalić-led line-up, which reached the final in Moscow with a path as exciting as it was unexpected. After exciting results in the group stage, the Croatians defeated all their opponents after regulation time.

In the Round of 16 and Quarterfinals, the Croatian squad beat Denmark and Russia respectively on penalties, after the two games had ended in draws: 1-1 against the Danes and 2-2 against the host team. In the semi-finals, on the other hand, extra time was 'enough' to overcome England and book a place in the first final in their history. The epilogue to this adventure, however, turned out to be bitter: in Moscow, France got the better of the Croatians, who were greeted by cheering fans on their return home: 4-2.

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