Croatia 2018
Croatia a country of barely four million people reached the World Cup final for the first time at Russia 2018, led by the tireless Luka Modrić, the tournament's Golden Ball winner. The journey was epic: three consecutive extra-time matches in the knockout rounds, including penalty shootout victories over Denmark and Russia, and a memorable comeback against England in the semi-finals (2-1). Croatia left everything on the pitch in every match. In the final in Moscow against France, the Croats started well Ivan Perišić equalised after a Mandžukić own goal but a VAR penalty and French efficiency sealed a 4-2 scoreline that did not reflect how close the match was. Modrić received the Golden Ball with the sad eyes of a man who knew he had given everything and it had not been enough. Croatia fell, but their achievement is one of the most inspiring in World Cup history.