France played their semi-final game on Tuesday while Croatia played on Wednesday. The two teams are set to face each other in the World Cup final in Moscow on Sunday.

"There cannot be excuses, this is the World Cup final. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Although it is clear that France have some advantage given that they rested for one additional day and that hey didn't play so many extra times," Dalic told journalists.

Each of Croatia's matches in the knockout round of the World Cup ended after extra time. Croatia beat Denmark and Russia on penalties and England in extra time.