Modric said it was important to respect opponents in Qatar, including Morocco, describing the players as phenomenal and highly motivated.
An extra-time strike from forward Chloe Kelly gave England a 2-1 win over Germany in the women's European Championship final on Sunday to claim their first ever major title in front of a record crowd on home soil.
Irish striker Robbie Keane grabbed an extra-time winner as LA Galaxy won a record fifth Major League Soccer title with a 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution in Sunday's championship-deciding MLS Cup.
Spain's irresistible striker David Villa grabbed a late winner for Spain as they beat Paraguay 1-0 in their World Cup quarter-final on Saturday.
In the 21 editions of the World Cup over 92 years featuring 79 nations, there have still been only eight winners and only 13 have made it to the final. Spain were the last to join the elite group of champions in 2010 after France in 1998 and Argentina in 1978.
Manchester United fought back to overpower West Ham United 3-1 and reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Romelu Lukaku scored for Chelsea in a 5-1 FA Cup third-round victory
Hazard extra-time goal sends 10-man Real Madrid through to Copa del Rey final.
Rangers joined Barca in the last eight despite losing 2-1 at Red Star Belgrade, progressing 3-2 on aggregate.
Well-known US soccer journalist Grant Wahl died on Friday after suffering "acute distress" while covering a match at the World Cup in Qatar, his agent said.
Chelsea will look to make amends after being runners-up to Leicester City and Arsenal in the last two seasons
Following are the teams in eight groups for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Qatar from November 20-December 18.
It was Kattimani's day as his heroics helped Hyderabad prevail in the shoot-out. He saved the spot kicks from Mark Leskovic, Nishu Kumar and Jeakson Singh.
Poland have an impressive defensive record at Euro 2016 but standing in their way to a semi-final spot is arguably one of sport's greatest-ever athletes, Cristiano Ronaldo.
France overwhelmed Croatia 4-2 in the World Cup final at Moscow's Luzhniki stadium on Sunday to lift the trophy for the second time in 20 years.
Bayern Munich slumped to a shock 4-1 loss at Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Sunday. The defeat ended their 32-match unbeaten run in all competitions stretching back to last year.
Ghana had always been expected to struggle at this World Cup after an unconvincing qualifying campaign in which a Nigerian goalkeeping howler saw them win a fortunate place in Qatar.
Barcelona's Spain playmaker Andres Iniesta has agreed a three-year contract extension with the La Liga champions until 2018 when he turns 34, club president Sandro Rosell said on Thursday.
In Gujarat, the Congress must have felt like the Swiss in Doha. Suffering at the hands of both the BJP and the AAP, they seemed to lack a goalkeeper. In Himachal, although a victory for the Congress, the tenor was more akin to Spain versus Morocco. The underdog triumphed, points out Shyam G Menon.
Among other transfer news globally, defender Rahul Bheke joins Mumbai City FC while Locatelli completes Juventus move.
Liverpool held their nerve to win an astonishing penalty shoot-out 11-10 and edge out Chelsea in the English League Cup final on Sunday after a rip-roaring contest had somehow ended 0-0 after extra time at Wembley.
Argentina dominated the opening stages and earned the penalty when Di Maria was fouled by Ousmane Dembele, with Messi sending France keeper Hugo Lloris the wrong way to move to the top of the goalscoring charts in Qatar.
Manchester United were dumped out of the FA Cup fourth round
Italy defeated Spain 4-2 on penalties after the teams were locked 1-1 at the end of extra-time to enter the final of Euro 2020 at Wembley on Tuesday.
How England and Italy arrived at the final at Wembley.
Arsenal had to come from behind after Sergio Aguero scored his 30th goal of the season for City in the 63rd minute, racing away on to a pass from Yaya Toure.
Here is an overview of the teams that have been eliminated
Barcelona have been boosted by the successful return from injury of talismanic playmaker Andres Iniesta as they prepare to host city rivals Espanyol in La Liga on Sunday.
IMAGES from the FIFA World Cup semi-final between Argentina and Croatia played at Lusail Stadium on Tuesday.
A red card for a moment of madness from Marcus Danielson brought Sweden's Euro 2020 to an abrupt end as they crashed out with a 2-1 defeat in their last-16 match against Ukraine on Tuesday.
IMAGES from Europa League matches played on Thursday.
Eight years is a long time in the life of an athlete. But just like Messi, Di Maria has preserved and persisted towards his childhood dream, points out Deepti Patwardhan.
Fortnightly updates, brilliant display, a fantastic camera and satisfying battery back up, makes this 5.2-inch phone HTC's saviour.
Real Madrid saw off a stirring Chelsea fightback to book their place in the Champions League semi-finals following a 3-2 defeat after extra time in a scintillating second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday to go through 5-4 on aggregate.
Manchester United were forced to dig deep to reach the Europa League semi-finals as Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes converted a 95th-minute penalty to secure a 1-0 win over a stubborn FC Copenhagen side after extra time on Monday.
Antoine Griezmann scored two goals and provided two assists as Barcelona staged a stunning last-gasp comeback before beating Granada 5-3
Italy are one win away from being crowned champions of Europe
Spain prevail in shootout against gallant 10-men Swiss
A summary of Thursday's second leg quarter-final matches in the Europa League.
Bayern Munich eased past title rivals Borussia Dortmund 3-1 on Saturday to secure their 10th consecutive Bundesliga crown in front of a sold-out home crowd and with three games to spare, while Paris St Germain secured a record-equalling 10th French top flight title after stuttering to a 1-1 home draw by 10-man RC Lens.
