Croatia midfielder Luka Modric has blamed referee Daniele Orsato following his side's 3-0 World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina on Tuesday night.

Modric claimed Orsato did not award Croatia a corner and a penalty during their tie with Argentina.

A goal from Messi and a brace from Julian Alvarez gave Argentina the victory over Croatia at the Lusail Stadium.

“It wasn’t to be, but hey, we have to recover and try to win the match for third place." We are sad; we wanted to be in another final. "We have to congratulate Argentina,” Modric said at his post-match press conference.

The Real Madrid star added, “We were fine, controlling the game, and this corner that the referee didn’t give us and the penalty, which for me wasn’t one, changed everything." The Argentine shoots and collides with our goalkeeper; he goes for him. I can’t believe he gave that penalty.

“This changes the game a bit." But we can’t change it; we have to recover and try to win the next game.”