Dejan Lovren helped guide Croatia to victory over England in the semi-finals (Image: GETTY)
And the Liverpool central defender says Croatia were physically fitter and mentally stronger than England.
Lovren went into the game irritated that the English media had reminded him of his nightmare against Harry Kane when he was humiliatingly substituted after only half an hour in Liverpool’s crushing 4-1 defeat to Tottenham at Wembley last season.
It followed an uncertain start to the season when Liverpool’s defence was constantly identified as a weak link.
But he felt vindicated after keeping Kane quiet as Croatia crushed England’s World Cup dreams by coming from behind to win an epic semi- final 2-1 and book their place against France on Sunday.
He said: “It feels incredible, especially after everything that was said about us before the game. We showed our character, we showed that we deserved to be in the final and people should respect us.
Dejan Lovren kept Harry Kane quiet in Moscow (Image: GETTY)
Without being arrogant, I think I have proved to be one of the best defenders in the world. I think definitely if you are in the final you are the two best teams in the world.
Dejan Lovren
“It’s not just the English press, I am talking about the criticism from the beginning. It is just sometimes it is unfair.
“Like in my case when you are talking about me. I think people should respect me also.
“Without being arrogant, I think I have proved to be one of the best defenders in the world. I think definitely if you are in the final you are the two best teams in the world.
“Yes, I was good against Kane but yesterday before the game I received a question like ‘what do you think about the 4-1 when Liverpool played Tottenham?’
“I really didn’t understand these questions, always looking back to where I made some mistakes. I really didn’t understand. There is too much criticism about me.
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“But whatever, this is what gets me more motivated to work harder and prove everyone wrong, everyone.”
Croatia made history by surpassing the 1998 team that lost in the semi- finals. And Lovren insists they are not scared for the French, who will be favourites to fit the trophy for the second time, 20 years after beating the Croats in the last four.
He added: “Today everyone in Croatia and around the world knows that we managed to make history. And it Is a special history when you look back and see that three times in the knock out stages we have played 120 minutes and yet we still had fresher legs than that England team.
“The difference was mental - because we knew we could write history and we did it. Now there is only one game left to make it forever.
“But I think even now after 20 years people will remember us and not just the ‘98 team. This is what I wanted. This is why I am proud. We deserve this.
“If somebody told me at the start of the season that I would be in two of the biggest finals in the world I would have signed straight away.
“I went through a lot of sh** and now I would say it is coming back.”