Luka Modric Dominates In Croatia's Euro Opener

You know you're special when you score an outrageous long-range one-time volley from outside of the box to open your team's Euro 2016 campaign, and that wasn't even the most impressive part of your performance.

You can argue that point all you like - you won't be chastised. But it can't be denied that Modric was on another plane tonight - a God amongst mere mortals alongside him. Apart from the goal, Modric's distribution was near-perfect, his vision dissecting, and his movement off the ball meritorious.

Modric really hurt Turkey today playing from deep and making calculated runs forward with the ball. With Ivan Rakitic playing more advanced and the offensively-limited Milan Badelj playing as the midfield anchor, Modric stayed deep, distributing the ball just in front of the backline while masterfully getting out of tight spaces with the ball when he was closed down by a physical Turkish side.

At one point when Vedran Corluka had to leave the pitch with a bloody head, Modric actually acted as a center-back.

Three successful tackles, three clearances, four interceptions, 52 completed passes, and one gol(azo).

This was some goal. The ball came from the sky, and it was hit with Thor's hammer.

Modric's goal is so good, it would have made any game worth watching https://t.co/ImUt3retNC https://t.co/5W4Y91Coro

— SB Nation Soccer (@SBNationSoccer) June 12, 2016

Modric's goal gave Croatia a thoroughly deserved 1-0 edge over Turkey, and puts them at the top of Group D for the time being, with the other two teams in the group, Spain and Czech Republic, playing tomorrow.