Croatia supporters in Auckland are fiercely proud of their team despite the 4-2 loss to France in the FIFA World Cup final.
Tense Croatia supporters watch the match in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Jessie Chiang
Les Bleus came out as the victors after scoring the opening goal and beating Croatia 4-2.
Look back at how the match unfolded here.
About 400 supporters turned out at the Pegasus Arms bar in central Christchurch to witness what turned out to be a captivating final.
French supporters were upbeat - and extremely vocal - when their national side scored back-to-back goals, via Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappé, in the second half.
"Wonderful game - [four goals to two] for a final. It's unbelievable. I don't know how many finals [there have been where] there's been so many goals. I would like to be in France, in Paris, my city. I think it's crazy", one France supporter said.
Another could not believe what the national side managed to pull off. He felt Pogba's goal was the defining moment.
"They've been building up for the whole tournament. They really impressed tonight. [Pogba's goal] was pretty amazing. He hadn't really stood up all World Cup. When it came down to the big day he put it away.
"[I'm going to] keep drinking the beers, [have a] couple of croissants and party on into the night."
At the Croatian Cultural Society club in west Auckland the room was packed with fans decked out in red and white checks.
They said their team came out with a strong first-half, despite conceding two goals.
Ivan Illich and his brothers stayed up all night and then went to watch the game.
"For them to score first was hard to watch but after that first goal, we came back and everyone around here had a positive vibe," he said.
It was not to be for Croatia and as the minutes ticked down, the fans looked more and more nervous.
But Mr Illich said no matter the result, his team defied all expectations.
"If you think about it, from the very start, the Croatians were not talked about," he said.
"Argentina, Brazil, England, France obviously - they were contenders, but Croatia were not there and they were the underdogs and came out of nowhere.
"For world football ... in our hearts obviously they're just outstanding."
Miljenko Jerkovich says he's very proud of the Croatian team. Photo: RNZ / Jessie Chiang
Miljenko Jerkovich has lived in New Zealand for 53 years but said his heart was behind Croatia all the way from the start.
"We are very proud of them [the team]," he said.
"In the 1998 [FIFA World Cup] we came third, now we come second, next time, we might be coming on the top, you never know."
