MOSCOW — Something was bothering Croatia’s players and staff members as they reflected on the game that had brought them to the brink of greatness, and on the month that may culminate in what would — by most estimations — be the greatest achievement in World Cup history.

Luka Modric, the captain, suggested his team had been “underestimated” by the British news media in the days preceding Croatia’s semifinal win over England. He advised that, in the future, journalists and television analysts should be “more humble, and respect their opponents more.”

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A perceived lack of respect was something of a theme. Coach Zlatko Dalic, who would scarcely have been recognized in the streets of Zagreb before being handed the reins of the national team when qualification for this tournament was in doubt last year, picked up on it, too.

“Maybe England, or the English media, did not show enough respect to the Croatian team,” he said. “We deserved it, especially when you look at the clubs our players play for. Maybe this gave us extra motivation.”