UEFA Euro 2016.

Led by head coach Ante Čačić, Croatia played in a group with Spain, Turkey, and the Czech Republic, opening their campaign with a narrow victory over Turkey thanks to Luka Modrić’s stunning strike.

Next came the match against the Czechs in Saint-Étienne, which began superbly with a commanding lead through goals by Perišić (37’) and Rakitić (59’), but ended painfully due to a stoppage caused by Croatian hooligans and two late Czech goals that resulted in a 2:2 draw.

The clash with Spain in Bordeaux brought an excellent Croatian performance. The Vatreni started cautiously and conceded in the seventh minute (Morata). However, in the last minute of the first half, Nikola Kalinić brilliantly scored with a backheel after Perišić’s cross, signalling Croatia’s awakening.

When Danijel Subašić saved Sergio Ramos’s penalty in the 72nd minute, it foreshadowed a major triumph that Croatia eventually secured in the 87th minute. Perišić broke away on the counterattack, caught De Gea wrong-footed, and scored the goal that sealed first place in the group.

The round of 16 brought a chess-like match against the future European champions Portugal and a dramatic ending late in extra time. In the 117th minute, Perišić struck the post, and moments later Portugal launched a counterattack finished by Quaresma, ending Croatia’s journey in France. Vida did have one more chance to equalise, but his shot flashed past the left post. It was yet another dark day in the Croatian football calendar. The tears flowed once again…