Croatia 1998
Croatia announced themselves to the world at France 1998 in only their second tournament as an independent nation. Davor Šuker, who would win the Golden Boot with 6 goals, led a side brimming with talent and national pride. They topped their group ahead of Argentina, then dismantled Germany 3-0 in the quarter-final one of the most emphatic results of the tournament. The semi-final against hosts France ended in a 2-1 defeat, Šuker scoring a stunning chip but Lilian Thuram who had never scored for France netting twice to break Croatian hearts. Croatia claimed third place and returned home to a heroes' welcome in Zagreb. For a country ravaged by war just years earlier, reaching the World Cup semi-finals was more than a sporting achievement it was a statement of identity.
