Featured Image Credit: FIFA
Topics: Luka Modric, Croatia, FIFA
Josh Lawless
Luka Modric lifted an international trophy that nobody had ever heard of on Tuesday night.
The international football schedule featured a mixture of Euro 2024 play-offs and high-profile but Croatia were in action against Egypt at the New Administrative Capital Stadium.
Zlatko Dalic's side won 4-2 after being a goal down, with Nikola Vlasic, Bruno Petkovic, Andrej Kramaric, Lovro Majer all on target.
And at the end, there was an official trophy presentation where Modric hoisted the prize above his head as fireworks were set off.
Just days earlier, Croatia faced Tunisia and won 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
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Egypt reached the final on home turf after a win over New Zealand and so the two sides contested the Egypt International Capital Cup final.
Initially the tournament was set to be called the Winsunited Cup and take place in Abu Dhabi before moving for sponsorship reasons.
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In the end it was relocated to Egypt and became part of the FIFA Series, the inaugural competition featuring six different international tournaments across the globe.
The Egypt version was a late addition, following up tournaments in Algeria, Azerbaijan, Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia, who staged two different groups.
There were six groups of four, with teams varying from Bulgaria to Vanuatu, who are ranked 170th in the world.
It was a pilot test for what looks set to be a permanent addition to the international football calendar in March.
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"The FIFA Series is a really positive step forward for national-team football at global level," said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
"Our member associations have been telling us for a long time now of their desire to test themselves against their counterparts from all around the world. And now they can do so within the current Men’s International Match Calendar.
"More meaningful matches will enable far more valuable footballing interaction for players, teams and fans, and will make a concrete contribution to the development of the game."