Luka Modric's Croatia arrive to heroes' welcome after World Cup final defeat

Crowd estimated at more than 100,000 throng capital Zagreb's main square to see players

The Airbus 319 airplane carrying the Croatian national football team, is escorted by two military aircrafts upon arrival to the international airport in Zagreb on Monday. Attila Kisbenedek / AFP

Croatian national football team arrives on tarmac of the international airport at Zagreb. Attila Kisbenedek / AFP

Croatian national football team lands on the tarmac of the international airport in Zagreb. Attila Kisbenedek / AFP

People cheer as the Croatian national football team lands on the tarmac of the international airport in Zagreb. Attila Kisbenedek / AFP

Croatian national football team members step out at the Zagreb international airport. Attila Kisbenedek / AFP

Croatian national football team members step out at the Zagreb international airport. Attila Kisbenedek / AFP

Croatian national football team members step out at the Zagreb international airport. Attila Kisbenedek / AFP

Croatian national football team members step out at the Zagreb international airport. Attila Kisbenedek / AFP

Croatian national football team members ride an open-roof coach in the Zagreb international airport. Attila Kisbenedek / AFP

Croatian national football team members ride an open-roof coach in the Zagreb international airport. Attila Kisbenedek / AFP

Croatian national football team members ride an open-roof coach in the Zagreb international airport. Attila Kisbenedek / AFP

People gather for a 'heroes' welcome' in tribute to the Croatian national football team. Attila Kisbenedek / AFP

People wave flags as they gather for a "heroes' welcome" in tribute to the Croatian national football team. Denis Lovrovic / AFP

Croatian workers prepare a giant flag on the top of an airport tower at the Zagreb international airport. Attila Kisbenedek / AFP

People gather for a 'heroes' welcome' in tribute to the Croatian national football team. Denis Lovrovic / AFP

Supporters of Croatia cheer while waiting for the arrival of the Croatian national football team in central Zagreb. Antonio Bat / EPA

People gather for a 'heroes' welcome' in tribute to the Croatian national football team at the Bana Jelacica Square in Zagreb. Denis Lovrovic / AFP

Supporters cheer while waiting for the arrival of the Croatian national football team in central Zagreb. Antonio Bat / EPA

People wave flags as they gather for a 'heroes' welcome' in tribute to the Croatian national football team. Andrej Isakovic / AFP

Supporters cheer while waiting for the arrival of the Croatian national football team in central Zagreb. Antonio Bat / EPA

Supporters cheer while waiting for the arrival of the Croatian national football team in central Zagreb. Antonio Bat / EPA

Supporters cheer while waiting for the arrival of the Croatian national football team in central Zagreb. Antonio Bat / EPA

Supporters cheer while waiting for the arrival of the Croatian national football team in central Zagreb. Antonio Bat / EPA

Supporters cheer while waiting for the arrival of the Croatian national football team in central Zagreb. Antonio Bat / EPA

People hold a giant banner with the national colours of the country during a 'heroes' welcome' for Croatian national football team. Andrej Isakovic / AFP

Tens of thousands of Croatians gave a heroes' welcome to their team in Zagreb on Monday after the squad returned from Russia following their World Cup final defeat.

A crowd estimated at more than 100,000 thronged the capital's main square to see the players, led by captain and World Cup Golden Ball winner Luka Modric, parade through the streets on an open-top bus.

Cheering fans, many waving flags and wearing the famous red and white shirt of Croatia, held up banners celebrating the runners-up after their gallant 4-2 defeat by France.

"This is how Croatia is loved," one banner read. Another said: "We are few, but we believed and that is enough."

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Many even skipped work to celebrate the team reaching their first ever World Cup final.

"I closed my office to welcome our heroes. I put a sign up reading 'Today, July 16, 2018', office closed due to our Vatreni ['the Fiery Ones' in Croatian]," doctor Sanja Klajic told AFP.

Earlier noisy fans awaited their side's appearance by singing a popular song "Play on my Croatia, when I see you my heart is on fire!" while watching the plane carrying the team progress to the capital on a giant TV screen.

When the plane, accompanied by military jets and emblazoned with the logo "Bravo Vatreni" flew overhead the crowd cheered and chanted "Hands up, hands up!".

After landing at the city's airport around 3.25pm local time (5.25pm UAE time), the players emerged to shrieks from fans at the terminal.