+ A
A -
dpa
Zagreb
While Paris exploded with joy following the World Cup final, the mood in Zagreb was flat following Croatia's 4-2 defeat to France in Moscow on Sunday.
"The fairy-tale is over," the Jutarnji list paper said, while the tportal called being runners-up a"historic silver."
Around 100,000 fans were in the streets of the Croatian capital, many at the central Jelacic Square, to watch the match and they reacted with disappointment or disbelief at coming so near yet so far from glory.
Despite falling behind through a~Mario Mandzukic own goal, Croatia equalized through Ivan Perisic and seemed to take control of the tie.
A controversial penalty from Antoine Griezmann changed the tone, however, and second-half goals from Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe assured the French of victory before Mandzukic netted a consolation.
"Croatia has heroically fallen in the final," said Index.
But though some tears were flowing, a feeling of pride was easily found.
"We will celebrate our boys as they deserve," a TV~moderator said. The tabloid 24sata added:~"Only silver in the end but with golden tinges. You are champions for us."
French President Emmanuel Macron and Croatian counterpart Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic watched the match together in the stadium and, while the former could celebrate, the latter was left to console the losing side.
"The Croatian president comforts her players like a real (national) mother," former German international Christoph Metzelder tweeted.
Earlier, Croatian officials reportedly issued 4,600 passports on short notice in order for fans to attend the match, with the mother of striker Ante Rebic being one recipient.
Local news reports said that authorities took the measure to allow additional fans to make the trip to Russia.
Ten charter flights brought Croatia fans to Moscow, while others were travelled by train from neighbouring Slovenia as the biggest match in Croatian football history created a national frenzy.
