Rise of a Football God

Just like France, USA, the hosts were out of the FIFA World Cup.

The reaction on social media was a blast.

But the world didn't stop due to those 2 countries losing though, the world continued, and so did football.

The next day, the Round of 16 games continued.

[FIFA World Cup – Round of 16]

[Match 7: Ghana vs Croatia]

[Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, USA]

[Date: July 11th, 2026]

[Kick-off: 17:00 local time]

[Referee: Wilton Sampaio (Brazil)]

The weather in Atlanta was warm and humid, an electric energy buzzing through the stadium.

Tonight, it was Africa vs Europe.

Ghana, bold and dynamic, had stormed through their group with youthful flair and relentless pressing. Croatia, tempered by tournaments past, carried the seasoned poise of veterans.

Luka Modric, at age 40, still conducted play like a timeless maestro.

Atlanta braced for magic.

The one thing that kept Ghana pushing was how their counterparts, Nigeria played. Their slogan was; if Nigeria could do it, they could do it.

Ghana started in a typical 4-2-3-1 formation, with Lawrence Ati-Zigi in goal, while ahead of him was the defensive quadruple of Tariq Lamptey, Mohammed Salisu, Alexander Djiku, and Gideon Mensah.

In midfield was their captain, Thomas Party, and Mohammed Kudus, while the three creative players upfront were Kamaldeen Sulemana, Ernest Nuamah, and Joseph Paintsil. Leading the line as the striker was Inaki Williams.

For Croatia, they started in a 4-3-3 formation with Dominik Livakovic in goal, while ahead of him was the defensive quadruple of Josip Stanisic, Josko Gvardiol, Josip Sutalo, and Borna Sosa.

The midfield trio comprised the timeless legend, Luka Modric who also captained Croatia for potentially the last time, and the duo of Mateo Kovacic, and Marcelo Brozovic.

The attacking trio were Luka Ivanusec, Andrej Kramaric, and Josip Brekalo.

Croatia never expected to be in this stage, having failed to win or even make 2nd position in their group.

Grace brought them here, and if that was any indication, the Croatian players and their fans believed in faith. It kept them moving, it kept them playing.

And then…

FWEEE!

The referee's whistle was the signal. The game started.

From the first whistle though, what followed was an African storm as Ghana showed exactly what they were made of, attacking with irresistible energy.

Kudus and Partey dictated the tempo in the middle of the park, suppressing Croatia's famed midfield, while Nuamah and Sulemana dazzled on the wings.

Croatia's experienced defense strained under the pressure.

And then, in the 19th minute, it snapped for the first time, and the hero of the moment was Mohammed Kudus, the solid Ghanian midfielder.

Lamptey burst forward and squared to Kudus, who shaped to shoot, feinted past Brozovic, and buried the ball low past Livakovic.

It was a moment of individual brilliance from the premier league midfielder.

1-0 Ghana.

Atlanta ignited, Ghanian fans in the stadium making their voice heard.

But only after that goal did Croatia finally discover their rhythm.

The Croats steadied, Modric calming nerves in the middle of the park, organizing his team methodically, patiently, wisely.

And then…

BAM!

In the 34th minute, Croatia had their moment, and it was Andrej Kramaric.

It was a classic Croatian move. Modric sliced open the defense, releasing Sosa, whose pinpoint cross found Kramaric.

A precise header, unstoppable.

1-1.

And just like that, balance restored.

BOOM! The stadium melted from the roar of Croatian fans.

The rest of the first half was back and forth between both teams, but neither defense budged, bringing the first half to an end level 1-1.

The second half started and it was a battle of attrition.

Both teams returned cautiously, aware one mistake could prove fatal. Ghana's pace troubled Croatia; Croatia's midfield dominance tested Ghana's resilience under pressure.

Both nations were playing at their best.

In the 69th minute, from a blistering counterattack, Inaki Williams curled a shot that crashed off the crossbar, bouncing agonizingly clear.

Croatian fans gasped. Ghanian fans groaned in frustration.

The tension peaked. Legs grew weary. Extra time loomed inevitable.

And then…

FWEEE!

Fulltime plus additional time came to an end. Extra time.

It was now the time when experience counts.

Fatigue was now an opponent. Yet, Modric, breathing heavily, rallied his team once more.

The game became a slugfest in extra time, both teams clashing into each other, the players turning it into a physical duel.

But even in the chaos, Croatia's technical players thrived, chief of them all being Modric who pinged the ball left, right, and center with worrying frequency, never losing possession despite his weary 40 year old legs.

And then, in the 105th minute, just before the first half of extra time could come to an end, the moment of truth came.

A corner from Brekalo was half-cleared.

At the edge of the area stood Modric. One touch. Composure. Then, a gentle side-footed volley, nestling the ball perfectly into the bottom corner.

Timeless. Classic. Legendary.

2-1 Croatia.

KABOOM!

The stadium erupted like a volcano!

"LUKA MODRICCCCCC…!" The commentator screamed.

"GRANDPA…!"

"GRANDPA HAS DONE IT FOR CROATIA…!"

Modric celebrated his goal with passion and exuberant energy.

Ghana's players fell to their knees, disbelief written on their faces.

But they surged forward again in the final half of extra time, desperate. It was do or die. It was now or never.

Nuamah shot inches wide. Kudus saw a rocket tipped over by Livakovic.

Yet, Croatia held firm.

Calm heads and tired legs saw it out to the final whistle.

FWEEE!

The final whistle.

Heartbreak for Ghana.

[FULL-TIME (AET): Ghana 1-2 Croatia]

Croatia, once again, advanced on wisdom and grit.

Ghana, brave and brilliant, left hearts won and heads held high.

The 40 year old Luka Modric won the man of the match award for his clutch goal winner in extra time, his 1 assist, and his incredible 90% passing accuracy.

Like the commentator said:

"40 years young, timeless, peerless. Luka Modric is not yet done for Croatia".

At the end of the game, Modric stood in front of the media, all smiles.

"Every match feels special. At my age, every game could be the last. So, I fight with all I have. Today, the fight was worth it".

Chris Hughton, the Ghana coach also had a few words.

"I'm incredibly proud. We showed the world Ghanaian football's spirit. It hurts now, but our future is bright".

Mohammed Kudus also faced the media.

"We gave everything. But against Modric, experience spoke loudest. He's one of the best midfielders in football history. We will learn and return".