Lovren: This Croatia team is better than 1998 heroes

Croatia defender Dejan Lovren believes his team can better the achievements of the 1998 outfit, which finished third in France. Zlatko Dalic's men impressed in Russia on Thursday, crushing Argentina 3-0 in its Group D clash.

Ante Rebic, Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic were on the scoresheet as Croatia moved into the last 16 for the first time since 1998, when Golden Boot winner Davor Suker inspired a run to third place.

But Lovren feels the current outfit is a better team, and the Liverpool defender hopes it can better the run of 20 years ago. "We can do better than the 1998 team, but let's see," he told reporters.

'Better players'

"I think we have better players than that team."

Croatia only needs a point against Iceland on Tuesday to seal top spot in the group, a result which would see it likely avoid France in the last 16.

Despite several powerhouses struggling early at the showpiece event, Lovren said his team was still outsider. "There are no easy games. Germany are still here, Spain, France. We are the underdogs and that helps us," he said.

"How we played today will give us a boost for the next couple of games and hopefully we can just stay fit for the rest of the tournament."