World Cup: Croatia captain Luka Modric describes ‘referee’ as a disaster after Argentina penalty

Luka Modric has slammed Italian referee Daniele Orsato for his performance during Croatia’s World Cup defeat to Argentina.

The 2018 finalists bowed out of the competition in the semi-finals after suffering a 3-0 defeat on Tuesday, but the decision to award Argentina a penalty for their opening goal has sparked fierce debate.

Croatia’s Dominic Livakovic charged towards Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez and clattered the striker, though ITV pundits including Gary Neville said the keeper had nowhere to go.

Croatia crashed out of the World Cup with a 3-0 defeat to Argentina in the semi-finals

Argentina were awarded a penalty after Croatia’s Dominik Livakovic fouled Julian Alvarez

Lionel Messi scored from the spot to give Argentina the lead – as they went on to win 3-0

As reported by TyC Sports, Croatia’s captain Modric described Orsato as a ‘disaster’.

He said: ‘I don’t like to talk about referees but this is one of the worst. I don’t have a good memory of him, he’s a disaster. For me it wasn’t a penalty.

‘Despite this, I don’t want to detract from Argentina. The penalty killed us. We have to recover for third place and win that game.’

The Real Madrid star added: ‘Argentina was a fair winner of the game, they were better, they deserved to win, but these have things have to be mentioned.

‘I generally don’t do them but today they have to be done.’

Modric was not the only Croatia star to rip into the referee’s decision to award the penalty.

Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic added: ‘We lost by a penalty, but it is what it is.

‘Both situations seem incredible to me, first that he did not give a corner and then that. I never talk about the referees, they are capital errors and it cost us defeat.’

Until Messi’s 34th minute goal, Croatia had looked comfortable in possession and dominated the midfield battle – despite lacking a target man up front.

Modric (centre) slammed Italian referee Daniele Orsato for his decision to award the penalty

The Croatian captain described Orsato as a ‘disaster’ and said the decision ‘killed’ their hopes

It was just five minutes after Messi’s goal when Alvarez burst through the Croatian defence on the counter attack, and following a few lucky ricochets, tucked the ball home to double the lead.

Messi’s then produced the assist of the tournament, after getting past Josko Gvardiol three times before laying the ball off for Alvarez to seal the win in the second-half.

Modric will be 40-years-old by the time of the next World Cup, meaning the tournament in Qatar was likely his last chance at winning the competition.  

PSG star Messi will now look to win the World Cup at will be his final opportunity to do so.

They will take on the winner’s of France’s semi-final against Morocco, on Sunday night.