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Luka Modrić and Ivan Rakitić are leading a strong run by the Croatian squad in the 2018 FIFA World Cup at Russia.
Croatia will be playing on Sunday in their first World Cup final and will face France, after their stunning 2-1 win over England in extra time, which was sealed by a Mario Mandžukić left-footed strike.
Zlatko Dalić's side have played heroically so far, playing three games with extra time. The group stage was immaculate, with three wins in three games, including an astonishing 3-0 victory over a poor Argentina side.
Croatia's opening game was a 2-0 triumph over Nigeria. On the last matchday of the group stage, Croatia beat Iceland 2-1 to seal a perfect first-round run.
The round of sixteen put Croatia up against Denmark. The Danish side opened up the score with a Mathias Jørgensen goal in the first minute of play. Mandžukić scored the equaliser just three minutes later, however. Danijel Subašić was the hero during the penalty shootout, saving three shots and sent the Croatian side to the last eight.
Another tough match in the quarterfinals and another penalty shootout for Croatia. Domagoj Vida gave Croatia a 2-1 lead in the first part of the extra time, but Mario Fernandes tied the game with five minutes left and sent the game to the tense penalty kicks.
The semifinals was always going to be a challenge against a fresher English side. After taking a 1-0 lead during the early stages of the game, England the tie was in the three lions' favour.
Ivan Perišić though equalised with 22 minutes left. Mandžukić scored the winner in extra time, and the most prominent goal in Croatian football history, so far to break English hearts in the end.
With great individual performances from many players and a fantastic collective effort, it is time to rank the best five players for Croatia.
#5 Danijel Subašić - Goalkeeper
Danijel Subašić's performance in the 2018 FIFA World Cup for the Croatian national team is unblemished, so far.
Subašić's most prominent effort was during the round of sixteen versus Denmark when he saved three penalties to give his side the chance to advance.
In the quarterfinals, after the 2-2 tie, Subašić saved the first penalty in the shootout against Russia and paved the way for his side to reach a semifinals spot for the second time in Croatian football history.
Subašić has conceded four goals in the World Cup in five matches. The Croatian goalkeeper conceded the four goals in the knockout stage, one to Denmark, two to Russia, and one to England.
The fans will also remember how he soldiered on despite picking up a niggle against Russia, essentially playing on one leg!
#4 Ivan Perišić - Forward
Ivan Perišić was the Man of the Match in Croatia's most significant triumph in their football history. The Internazionale forward scored the equaliser in the 69th minute and gave the assist for Mandžukić's winner.
Perišić has scored a couple of goals in the World Cup; his equaliser against England and the opener in the 2-1 victory over Iceland on the last matchday of the group stage.
The unusual number 4 for Croatia is an essential piece of the jigsaw, especially with his attacking ability on the left side of the pitch.
His defensive work rate has also been immense having recovered the ball eight times and performing nine clearances.
#3 Ivan Rakitić - Midfielder
The Barcelona midfielder remains a perfect fit at the centre of the pitch with Marcelo Brozović and Modrić. Rakitić's play in the midfield is a key for his side especially for his ability to attack and defend.
Rakitić has produced 309 passes with an 84% passing accuracy and ranks third in the squad in minutes played with 549.
The midfielder scored one goal in the tournament, versus Argentina to seal the 3-0 victory in the second matchday of the group stage.
He was perfect in high-pressure moments. In the round of sixteen, he had to kick the penalty to clinch the top 8 spot and converted. The same opportunity presented in the quarterfinals versus Russia and Rakitić scored again to give Croatia a semifinals spot for the second time in its history, the other was in 1998.
#2 Mario Mandžukić - Forward
Mario Mandžukić, the Juventus forward, produced two goals in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, both goals came during big moments for Croatia: the equaliser against Denmark in the round of sixteen after five minutes into the game, after Denmark took the lead in the first minute.
Then, Mandžukić scored the biggest goal in Croatian football history: the winner against England in the semifinals, which gave Croatia its first final spot in the World Cup.
Mandžukić scored in the second half of the extra time against the English side to win the game with his left foot.
There's something to be said about Mandžukić's play. Although the Croatian player is a great forward and his goalscoring numbers for Croatia are fantastic (second all-time with 32 goals), his defensive commitment is stunning.
Mandžukić plays a critical part in accompanying the defensive crew and giving his entire effort to help out his team's success.
#1 Luka Modrić - Midfielder
Luka Modrić is Croatia's undisputed leader on the pitch. In the group stage, Modrić scored the second goal in the 2-0 victory for Croatia over Nigeria. Against Argentina, Modrić earned his second Man of the Match award after scoring the second goal in the 3-0 dismantling of the South American side.
In the round of sixteen, Modrić wasn't perfect and missed a crucial penalty with five minutes remaining in the second half of the extra time against Denmark. The game went to the penalty shootout, and Modrić scored when he got his second chance.
His quarterfinal display was pretty good against Russia. The game was decided in the penalties once again, and Modrić was not bothered by the home crowd and scored his shot, although with certain suspense, but Croatia advanced to the semis.
Against England in the semifinals, Modrić didn't have his best game in the first half, he elevated his game up and helped Croatia to make a comeback, capped off in the extra time with Mandžukić's game-winner.
Modrić is emerging as a likely candidate to dethrone Cristiano Ronaldo, his former teammate, as a Ballon d'Or winner. He's a sure candidate to win the Golden Ball of the World Cup and earn the price as the best player in the tournament.
Next Sunday's result will determine Modrić's opportunities for individual awards, which naturally rank second to the collective glory the Real Madrid player is seeking alongside his Croatian teammate.
