An Oghenekaro Etebo own goal and a second-half Luka Modric penalty was enough for Croatia to go top of Group D in Kaliningrad
Luka Modric’s second half penalty sealed the deal for Croatia. (Source: Reuters) Luka Modric’s second half penalty sealed the deal for Croatia. (Source: Reuters)
It was a comfortable win at the end of a cagey match for Croatia. An own goal by Etebo in the first half and a Luka Modric penalty in the second helped them secure the 2-0 win and they now go top of the Group D being the only team to have managed to secure a win. Chances were at a premium, which was something of a contrast to the other matches we have seen so far in the World Cup, so much so that neither teams had managed to get a shot on target in the entire first half.
Oghenekaro Etebo's own goal and Luka Modric goal from the spot gave Croatia a winning start in their World Cup campaign. Croatia also took the top spot in Group D at the points table, after the first game of the group between Argentina and Iceland ended in a 1-1 draw.Kovacic missed a golden opportunity to score. Shot it straight to Nigerian goalkeeper from close range and one-on-one situationFour minutes added as stoppage timeBooking for Croatia's Marcelo BrozovicJohn Obi Mikel is replaced by NwankwoScramble in front of Croatian goal, but Victor Moses' attempt was blockedMario Mandzukic is replaced by Marco Pjaca for CroatiaHeader from Leon Balogun was comfortably collected by Croatian goalkeeperLuka Modric free-kick was calmly collected by Nigerian goalkeeperCroatia making their own change. Ante Rebic is replaced by KovacicOdion Ighalo is replaced by Kelechi Iheanacho for NigeriaLuka Modric converted the penalty to make it 2-0 for CroatiaPENALTY for Croatia. And yellow card for NIgeria's William Ekong for foul against Mario Mandzukic. Luka Modric taking the spot-kick.Victor Moses went down inside the Croatian box, but ref is not interested in giving the decision in the Nigerian's favourAhmed Musa came in place of Alex Iwobi for NigeriaAndrej Kramaric is replaced by Brozovic for CroatiaOdion Ighalo's header was straight to the Croatian goalkeeper Danijel SubasicAnte Rebic missed the goal from six yards out. Ivan Perisic crossed it perfectly for Rebic, but the midfielder volleyed it over the crossbar.Fourth corner for Nigeria in the second half. But Victor Moses' delivery was long. No danger for CroatiaIwobi's strike was blocked by Croatian defender before the European team won the goal kickLong ranger from Ivan Rakitic was well above the Nigerian crossbarVictor Moses hit it wide from close rangeThree corners in a row for Nigeria. This time Croatia cleared the ball from the box convincinglyCorner for Nigeria early in the second half.Time for second half action. Will Nigeria score the equaliser or Croatia double the lead?Unlucky Oghenekaro Etebo's own goal was the difference between the two sides in the first 45 minutes of the contest. Croatia have controlled the proceedings, but the clear chance on goal were very limited.Two minutes added as stoppage timeVictor Moses is fouled on the right flank and it's a free-kick for Nigeria. Dejan Lovren with a timely block to deny Alex Iwobi the equaliserSime Vrsaljko mistimed it, from the top right of the box, and the ball went wide of the Nigerian goalAndrej Kramaric's header went over the Nigerian crossbar. Good cross from Ivan Rakitic from the left side of the boxLuka Modric is everywhere in the field for Croatia. He was delivering the ball from the corner, and now he is clearing the ball from the box for Croatia.Croatia took the lead, through Oghenekaro Etebo's own goalMario Mandzukic’s header from Luka Modric's corner-kick was deflected in by unlucky Etebo.First booking of the match went to Ivan Rakitic of Croatia, for his challenge against Victor MosesAnte Rebic's cross in the box from the right was cleared by Nigerian defenderFirst corner for Nigeria. It was a minor scramble in front of the Croatian goal, but Nigerian players failed to find a clear shot on goal. And Oghenekaro Etebo's final touch was wide of the postLuka Modric's free-kick was calmly collected by young teenage Nigerian goalkeeper Francis UzohoAnother corner for Croatia. Luka Modric's kick was weak and low, and Nigerian defender easily cleared it out of the boxThis time Andrej Kramaric's shot was wide of the Nigerian goal. Croatia started to create decent chances as the game progressesIvan Perisic's strike, from the top of the box, went just over the Nigerian crossbarAttack from the left for Nigeria. Croatian goalkeeper Danijel Subasic collected the ball comfortably.Corner kick for Croatia. A short corner but failed to create a clear chance on goalPromising run for Croatia from the left flank, but it was comfortably kick out by Nigerian defenderEarly free-kick for Nigeria from outside the Croatia box. No danger though for goalkeeper Danijel SubasicHere we go...Time for National AnthemsPlayers are coming out from the tunnel with less than five minutes left to the kick-off timeNigeria coach Gernot Rohr has handed a World Cup debut to 19-year-old goalkeeper Francis Uzoho for his team's World Cup opener. Croatia's midfield is powered by Real Madrid's Luka Modric and Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic. Coach Zlatko Dalic has left Modric's Madrid teammate Mateo Kovacic on the bench.Danijel Subasic - Sime Vrsaljko, Dejan Lovren, Domagoj Vida, Ivan Strinic - Ivan Rakitic, Luka Modric (capt), Ivan Perisic, Ante Rebic, Andrej Kramaric - Mario MandzukicCoach: Zlatko Dalic (CRO)Francis Uzoho - Shehu Abdullahi, Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong, Brian Idowu - Oghenekaro Etebo, John Obi Mikel, Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi - Odion IghaloCoach: Gernot Rohr (GER)Referee: Sandro Ricci (BRA)Hello and welcome to the live coverage of Group D match between Croatia and Nigeria. The contest starts at 00:30 IST
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Croatia has control of Group D at the 2018 World Cup after beating Nigeria 2-0 on Saturday. With Argentina's surprising draw against Iceland earlier in the day, Croatia has three points and a two-point advantage in the group.
It wasn't a challenging match for the victors as Nigeria struggled to put much of anything together. They were sloppy, couldn't hold on to the ball and lacked creativity in the final, but Croatia was far from convincing as well. They scored on an own goal and a penalty kick to win.
Oghenekaro Etebo knocked the ball into his own net in the first half for what was the winning goal:
Mandzukic gets there first, but Nigeria's Etebo gets the final touch to put the Croatians ahead! pic.twitter.com/fmmoTpEbPf — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 16, 2018
Then a penalty kick was awarded to Croatia for a challenge in the box, and Luka Modric made no mistake, finishing with accuracy:
Another game, another penalty!
Luka Modric buries it to give Croatia a 2-0 lead vs Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/baiod1fwIJ — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 16, 2018
It's a great start to the tournament for Croatia, and now Nigeria is in a tough spot, needing something against Iceland next week if it wants to have a chance to advance.
Relive Croatia vs. Nigeria
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