Croatia fired by desire to rescue Luka Modric, reveals Ivan Rakitic

• Rakitic explains what he told squad before Denmark shootout
• Togetherness is source of power, he says, before Russia match

Ivan Rakitic says that the Croatia’s squad desire to dig Luka Modric out of a hole was the catalyst for their last-16 victory over Denmark and an illustration of the squad’s unity.

Modric had missed a 115th-minute penalty against Denmark and, when the tie proceeded to a shootout, Rakitic spoke up in a team huddle. The Barcelona midfielder said that Modric had saved them on countless occasions over the years and this was the time for them to save him.

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