sport news Croatia have form and World Cup pedigree with them - but can the 2018 finalists ... trends now

Underestimate Croatia at your peril. 

Despite their relatively young history at the World Cup, the Croats have made a habit of impressing on the grand stage. 

During their inaugural competition in 1998, Croatia surprisingly sealed third place after narrowly crashing out to tournament winners France in the semi-finals. 

It looked as though Croatia may never reach the lofty heights of a World Cup semi-final again, until they went one step further in 2018, losing in the final to France once again.

Yet, the primary concern for Zlatko Dalic's side heading into this month's tournament can be summed up in one short and simple word: age.

Their talismanic international hero Luka Modric turned 37 in September, Inter Milan star Marcelo Brozovic is now in his thirties, and Tottenham's Ivan Perisic is 33.

However, with an average age of 27.9, Croatia are by no means the oldest squad at the tournament, with 10 nations higher in the charts including FIFA's top ranked teams Argentina (28.4), Brazil (28.4) and Belgium (28.3).

Sportsmail takes a deeper look at Croatia's World Cup side ahead of the nation's tournament opener against Morocco on Wednesday. 

Boasting one of the most enviable midfield trios in world football, with Modric, Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic in the engine room, Croatia play to their strengths.

Adopting a 4-3-3 formation, the Croats look to dominate possession and play triangles in the middle of the park, creating space and opportunities for the attackers in their front three.

Dalic's side is also well-drilled in defence, with traditional full-backs on the flanks who are tasked with stopping the opposition as priority, rather than charging forward in support.

Borna Sosa, who has built a reputation as an attacking wing-back at VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga, adopts a slightly more defensive role for Croatia and teams up well

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