Referee´s ´cardinal mistakes´ cost Croatia against Argentina, claims Kovacic

Mateo Kovacic believes two cardinal mistakes from referee Daniele Orsato cost Croatia in Tuesday s World Cup semi-final defeat against Argentina.

Croatia s bid to reach a second consecutive World Cup final came to an end as Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez starred at Lusail Stadium, with the latter scoring twice in Argentina s 3-0 win.

Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Alvarez collided with goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, and Kovacic was booked for dissent as several Croatia players protested the decision.

Less than a minute before Livakovic s foul, Croatia were denied a corner when Ivan Perisic s deflected shot looped onto the roof of Emiliano Martinez s net, leaving Kovacic in disbelief.

I can t believe it s not a corner, the Chelsea m…