Croatia captain Luka Modrić says they were inspired towards World Cup semifinal victory by a lack of respect from English journalists and commentators.
Croatia fell behind to a fifth minute goal before claiming an extra time 2-1 victory which put them in Monday morning's final against France.
Modrić, who made his name with London club Tottenham Hotspur, was "scathing" in his opinions of some English media, the Guardian reported.
"People were talking … English journalists, pundits from television," he told ITV.
"They underestimated Croatia tonight and that was a huge mistake. All these words from them we take, we were reading and we were saying: 'OK, today we will see who will be tired.' They should be more humble and respect their opponents more.