The game in Sochi was locked at 2- 2 after extra - time but Croatia held their nerve to win the shootout 4 -3 , with Barcelona ’s Ivan Rakitic scoring the decisive penalty .
“ Russia has fallen ! Hug , cry … Croatia is among the four best teams in the world, ” exclaimed the commentator from the state -run HRT television channel .
There were shouts of joy , hundreds of flares were lit and Croatian flags were waved as an estimated 15, 000 fans celebrated the win for captain Luka Modric ’s side win in Zagreb ’ s main square , where they had watched the match on a giant screen .
Thousands of other red -and -white-painted supporters celebrated the victory at fan zones in the capital and other cities.
“ Play my Croatia, when I see you my heart is on fire !, ” a popular song , was heard in squares and streets throughout the country.
“ Hrvatska! Hrvatska!” ( Croatia) chanted the fans , while drivers blared their horns.
Football fever has ratcheted up in the country of around four million people, boosted by a thumping 3 - 0 group- stage win against Argentina and a victory on penalties against Denmark to reach the quarter- finals.
Cars are decorated with red -and - white chequerboard flags and football jerseys are being sold in large numbers .
“ Modric is bestselling, although ( Danijel ) Subasic is becoming increasingly popular, ” Ana Maric , 20 , selling souvenirs in downtown Zagreb , told AFP.
Goalkeeper Subasic was the hero against Denmark in the last 16, making three penalty saves .
Local media earlier labelled the game the “ crucial match of this generation” , stressing it was a chance for Croatia to match the success of the 1998 squad , which included Davor Suker and Zvonimir Boban . That side reached the semi -finals.
Coach Zlatko Dalic said Saturday the “ whole country is euphoric ” .
In Sochi, Croatia fans were massively outnumbered in a crowd of more than 40 , 000, but Dalic ’s team had one notable backer — President Kolinda Grabar -Kitarovic .
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