Iceland are looking to make a play for second place in Group D and Croatia are they only ones that stand in their way.
The Croatian team has been very successful so far but they are expected to rest several players following a press conference given by coach Zlatko Dalic last week. This is no surprise as Croatia have already secured their place in the round of 16.
Their comfortable position will allow them to rest several players who may be at risk of suspension if they receive another yellow card. Two notable players who have already received yellow cards are Ivan Rakitić and Mario Mandžukić
If Argentina beat Nigeria then Iceland could be in with a chance to make it through to the knockout stage of the competition.
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Good evening and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of tonight's Group D games as Argentina look to salvage a so-far terrible World Cup for the South Americans. They play against Nigeria needing a win, while Croatia face Iceland in the other game. Both kick off at 7pm... Let's break down how it stands in Group D and what that means for tonight's matches: Croatia sit at the top of the table with 6 points, Just below them are Nigeria with 3 points, Iceland sit in third with 1 point, and Argentina bring up the rear with 1 point. So what does that mean? Croatia are already through but a win against Iceland would cement their place at the top of the table, A win for Nigeria sends them through and also knocks out Argentina and Iceland If Iceland beat Croatia they'll move up to 4 points and will have go rely on goal difference to get through, Argentina have to beat Nigeria, a win will move them above the African nation and providing Croatia don't lose they'll go through You all understand that right? It's a massive, massive night for Argentina, progress through to the last 16 could give them the momentum they need to kick start their tournament but they sit on the brink of elimination Ed Malyon explains how they got here Leaked WhatsApps and post-match punch-ups: The inside story of Argentina's World Cup In a story of politics and player revolt, infighting and backbiting, Argentina's tortured time in Russia could scarcely have gone worse The teams news is in for both games, how do you think these sides stack up? Quite a few changes for Argentina, Caballero is dropped after his howler against Croatia, with Franco Armani coming in. Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain start but there's no place for Sergio Aguero in the line-up Lionel Messi has failed to score with his last 22 shots in matches at World Cup finals. But over the last two years he has scored 14 goals in 18 games for Argentina. Can their talisman save Argentina tonight? Croatia have made nine, yes nine changes, replacing the entire back line as well as the goalkeeper. They're obviously resting the main players for the next round of the competition so maybe Iceland could get something out of this game after all. This man starts though... Who's hoping for more of this tonight? Just a quick word about Nigeria's kit, it's awesome! That is all... 10 minutes to go, this video of Messi's old teammates talking about him on BBC 1 has really go me excited, let's hope his brilliance comes to play tonight! KICK OFF: NIGERIA 0 - 0 ARGENTINA The game is underway and Argentina look to have more intent in this match already, than they did against Croatia 4 mins: NIGERIA 0 - 0 ARGENTINA Mercado tries to slip Higuain in on the right wing but it's a sloppy pass and it goes out, the quality isn't quite there yet but Argentina continue to look aggressive in attack 6 mins: NIGERIA 0 - 0 ARGENTINA Nigeria break away and find space in front of Argentina's goal but Otamendi's makes a solid block at the back, the ball comes to Messi who darts forward and is brought down 8 mins: ICELAND 0 - 0 CROATIA Pjaca makes a good run for Croatia, he gets the ball 30 yards out from the Iceland box, and he turns and runs at the defence, he's brought down on the edge on the box and could have had a free kick but the referee wasn't interested 12 mins: NIGERIA 0 - 0 ARGENTINA Mascherano makes a mistake for Argentina and passes the ball to Iheanacho brings it towards goal, but he's two indecisive and Argentina clear it away. 14 mins: NIGERIA 0 - 1 ARGENTINA - Messi GOAL! Banega finds Messi with a long ball over the defence from the half way line, Messi brings it down, takes one touch to find the space in the box and fires a right footed shot across goal to give Argentina the lead 18 mins: NIGERIA 0 - 1 ARGENTINA Moses wins a corner for Nigeria but they don't make any use of it, it's cleared and Angel Di Maria is brought down on the breakaway 19 mins: ICELAND 0 - 0 CROATIA A good period of play for Croatia here, they've dominated possession so far and they win a corner, Modric whips it in and there's a scramble in the box, Iceland defend well but it's another corner 25 mins: ICELAND 0 - 0 CROATIA Magnusson is sent down the left side and he races Corluka to the touchline but the Croatian defender gets there first and clears the danger Next
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What time is it?
Iceland vs Croatia kicks off at 19:00 at the Rotsov Arena.
Where can I watch it?
Live coverage is available on BBC Four and online via the BBC Sport website.
Odds
Iceland: 23/10
Croatia: 11/10
Draw: 23/10
Prediction
Croatia have been the strongest side in Group D over the last two games. They are expected to rest some key players which definitely increases the chance Iceland have of winning. However, Croatia are still expected to win.
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Croatia rounded off a flawless Group D campaign at the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday by beating Iceland 2-1 to make it three wins from three in Russia and deny their opponents a place in the knockout stages.
Milan Badelj hit a sweet half-volley for his side early in the second half, and Ivan Perisic struck in a 90th-minute winner for Croatia after Gylfi Sigurdsson had pulled Iceland level from the penalty spot.
Argentina beat Nigeria 2-1 in Tuesday's other Group D fixture thanks to a late Marcos Rojo winner, meaning La Albiceleste march into the round of 16 alongside Croatia and will face France in the next round.
Forget England, Croatia are the real Dark Horses
It's around this time, on the eve of the knockout stages, that theories are being formulated for who will impress moving on at the World Cup, and though England have garnered attention, it's Croatia who are the real lurkers in Russia.
Arguably no team has performed as consistently across their three group games as Dalic's men, who again exerted their game plan on Tuesday, as demonstrated by Badelj's tidy 53rd-minute strike, via Fox Soccer (U.S. only):
He was one of nine players drafted into the Croatia XI after Thursday's win against Argentina, but one wouldn't have suspected there were so many alterations based on the sustained quality of their play.
With a complete new-look defence and Andrej Kramaric replacing Mario Mandzukic in attack, Croatia's midfield ran the show for large parts as they took almost two-thirds of possession, per WhoScored.com.
Match of the Day showed their shot efficacy wasn't bad, either, although they might have preferred a few more sights at goal:
It speaks well of Croatia's depth that so many starters can step out, and Dalic can rely upon those stepping in to do a job. Vedran Corluka offered an experienced head in central defence, while Tin Jedvaj and Josip Pivaric impressed in their wing-back duties.
Writer Andrew Gaffney and Squawka hailed Mateo Kovacic as a fine addition to the lineup also, making his first start of the tournament in Rostov-on-Don:
Despite conceding a penalty, giant Gent goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic was also impressive in his duties and pulled off a string of fine saves from range, per fan account Bavarian Tweets:
Luka Modric and Perisic were the two talents retained from the Argentina victory to give Croatia some elite steel in midfield, as well as the winning penalty from Perisic, and there's no reason to think a win over Denmark next up can't propel them further.
A rest of almost 10 days without having to play 90 minutes will do a raft of their stars the world of good before the round of 16, although a likely quarter-final against Spain presents a problem in the near future.
Iceland Show True Colours
It was a fairytale for Iceland to even reach their first World Cup, and despite the opening draw against a poor Argentina team, ending the pool with one point was ultimately the deserved outcome for the team that finished bottom.
Second-choice stopper Kalinic had a fine day in goal for Croatia and stopped a flurry of long-range efforts, leaving Sigurdsson's controversial penalty as one of their total two goals in Russia, via Fox Soccer (U.S. only):
Argentina's lack of quality in this group ultimately masked a lesser achievement for Iceland in that draw, and Tuesday's loss to Croatia's reserves following a 2-0 defeat to Nigeria gave a better account of their standard in the end.
The sad truth is the "fairytale" aspect of Iceland's quest was something of a curse in the end, and broadcaster Pilib De Brun put them among several other cases of close-but-no-cigar teams at this World Cup:
It was touch and go for a moment at the Rostov Arena, but even the Croatia National Tourist Board got in on celebrating victory over a lesser side:
Iceland have gathered attention as the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup, but that shouldn't discourage them. After all, New Zealand are routinely the best team in international rugby despite having a similar disparity in population compared to many of their peers.
Their day on the World Cup stage might come, but an evolution in quality and discovering an established method other than simply riding teams out is needed before they can expect to take on greater challenges.
Badelj's Play Shows Modric Isn't Croatia's Only Leader
If there's one thing Croatian clubs know how to do, it's produce technically pure midfielders of high quality and on a mass scale, with Kovacic, Modric and Perisic not the only ones to impress against Iceland.
For it was man of the match Badelj who got himself in the right pocket unopposed to sink the opener after he contributed a commanding first-half display, via Fox Soccer (U.S. only):
The 29-year-old completed 90 per cent of his passes and accounted for eight per cent of the possession—Kovacic was the only player to record more with 9.5 per cent.
It was also Badelj who set up Perisic for the late winner, and he impressed Twitter user Alan Masters after having a hand in both Croatia goals:
Journalist John Solano also noted his club profile will have risen after he chose not to renew his contract with Fiorentina this summer:
Modric is undoubtedly the man among Dalic's ranks, but Badelj is another pioneering presence in their seemingly endless chain of midfield maestros.
What's Next?
Croatia progress and will face Group C runners-up Denmark in Nizhny Novgorod on Sunday. Iceland's maiden World Cup campaign, meanwhile, has ended with a first-round departure.
This article will be updated to provide more information on this story as it becomes available.
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[Find out how Argentina edged Nigeria by clicking here.]
——
Here’s how Croatia beat Iceland:
GAME OVER: Iceland Eliminated
Croatia completed a perfect 3-for-3 first round and eliminated Iceland with a 2-1 victory in Rostov on Tuesday. Croatia advances to play Denmark in the round of 16.
90’: GOAL CROATIA!
Croatia buries Iceland! A turnover by a thin-at-the-back Iceland leads to an easy break and a goal by Perisic.
88’: Other Game: Argentina Scores Again
Argentina scores in the other game. That gives Iceland an opportunity, but it must score. And Croatia is dominating.
85’: Finnbogason Subs Out
And that’s all for Iceland striker Finnbogason. A curious substitution. Gudmundsson will replace him.
84’: More Yellow!
Yellow to Saevarsson of Croatia. The game is getting chippy.
83’: Croatia Picks Up Another Yellow
Jedvaj gets the yellow card for tripping.
83’: Iceland Feels the Heat
Increasing desperation for Iceland. They will need to score, and will be rooting for Argentina to do so as well.
81’: Sub for Croatia
Croatia turns to Rakitic as a sub.
80’: What’s at Stake
The permutations are confusing. But with Argentina and Nigeria tied at 1-1, Iceland still needs two more goals. If it wins 2-1, Nigeria will go through on goal difference.
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76’: GOAL ICELAND!
A penality on Iceland in the 75th minute for a handball in the box by Lovren as he tried to block a cross gives Croatia a shot. Sigurdsson (the other one, Gylfi) takes it. And it’s in! Iceland ties it up and is back in with a chance!
73’: No Defender, Still No Goal
Bjarnason is just half a step too slow to get to a cross with no defender between him and the goal.
72’: Iceland Makes a Sub
Sigurdarson in, Sigurdsson out for iceland. Got that?
67’: Croatia Gains Momentum
After a good spell by Iceland to start the half, Croatia has had the best of it over the last 10 minutes.
64’: Another Yellow for Iceland
This time it’s Alfred Finnbogason, for roughing.
Iceland Battles
Photo
59’: Yellow Card for Hallfredsson
Iceland gets its first yellow card of the match after an aggressive challenge by Hallfredsson.
55’: Ingason Just Misses
Iceland nearly answers as Ingason’s header from just in front of goal goes over.
And then seconds later his header off a corner goes over as well.
53’: GOAL CROATIA!
Badelj pounces on a loose ball in the box and punches it home. Disaster for Iceland, who will now need at least two goals.
52’: Croatia Stopped by Crossbar
Badelj of Croatia takes a shot from deep, and it nicks the crossbar and goes over! First good chance for Croatia in a while.
49’: Can Croatia Keep it Up?
Remember that Croatia has not given up a goal in the Cup so far. That’s the defense (with a few substitutions) that Iceland is trying to crack.
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47’: Sigurdsson’s Not So Sly
Sigurdsson deliberately lines up a free kick and aims it at his tall compatriots, but it goes straight to the keeper.
46’: Second Half Underway
Iceland has to get on the board, but one goal might even be enough to knock out Argentina.
Don’t Forget to Spot the Ball!
Messi Update
Did you miss Lionel Messi’s goal in the Argentina vs. Nigeria game? Take a look:
Messi almost had a second goal, too:
Halftime: Iceland Needs a Goal Soon
Iceland has come close to scoring a few times. With Argentina leading just 1-0 for now in the other game, Iceland is still just one goal away from qualifying for the next round.
Iceland has 6 shots to Croatia’s 4 and is playing a direct style that should lead to more opportunities. With Croatia less motivated, Iceland is far from out of it at this point.
44’: Overboard
The easy-to-spot Hallfredsson (he’s completely bald) launches one far over the net.
41’: Painful Miss for Iceland
A turnover leads to Iceland getting in the box with numbers. And the man you’d want to shoot, Finnbogason, does shoot. But his shot is just wide.
40’: Fancy for Nothin’
Modric gets some space and starts a Croatia move, but a lot of fancy footwork by Kramaric doesn’t lead to a shot.
Intensity Picks Up
Photo
37’: Croatia Isn’t Close
Perisic turns and shoots for Croatia, but it’s wide.
32’: Iceland is Hungry
Sigurdsson’s curling free kick draws a save from Kalinic. Iceland is pressing for a goal now.
29’: Shot Goes Wide
A Magnusson header in a promising position off a Gudmundsson corner goes wide.
26’: Corluka Takes One to the Face
Bjarnason of Iceland gets to the end line, but a possible promising cross is blocked by Corluka’s face.
Iceland’s Fans Are Ready
Photo
24’: Iceland Can’t Stay Cool
Croatia is dominating the possession, 71-29 percent, and playing with the calm of a team already through to the next round, while Iceland looks a little jittery.
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19’: A Bloody Bjarnason Plays On
Corner to Croatia. Modric takes one at one corner, then one from the other. No good chances emerge. Bjarnason is playing on with plenty of bloody wadding jammed up his nose.
Photo
14’: Yellow Card for Pjaca
Bjarnason of Iceland takes an elbow to the face from Pjaca and is down for lengthy treatment. There’s a lot of blood coming from his nose. The Iceland fans fire up their famous Thunder Clap routine.
Pjaca gets a yellow card.
9’: Pjaca Goes Down, No Call
A scary run by Marko Pjaca of Croatia ends with him going down in the penalty box. No call.
7’: Croatia’s New Look
If you miss Croatia’s classic red and white checkerboard jerseys, take a closer look at these. They are black and deep, dark blue checkerboards.
6’: Croatia Playing Keepaway
Good ball control by Croatia in the early going, but it shows little urgency to bring the ball to net. Iceland is going to need to get some possession before it even thinks about scoring.
Kickoff!
Croatia in black, Iceland in white.
CROATIA will hope to make it three from three as they take on Iceland in their final group D game, with a place in the knockout stages already secured.
Zlatko Dalic's side will be looking to build on the momentum earned after convincing wins against Nigeria and Argentina have put them firm favourites to top their group; while Iceland will be looking to steal a last-16 place.
Reuters Zlatko Dalic's side have won both their games in the group
Can I live stream Iceland vs Croatia and what TV channel is it on?
The Group D fixture will be shown live on BBC Four in the UK, with coverage starting at 7pm.
The game can be streamed via BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport Online.
Alternatively, you can follow the action on the SunSport LIVE blog.
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How can I watch and live stream Iceland vs Croatia for free?
BBC and BBC iPlayer are free for all UK viewers with a TV and a TV license.
It costs £150.50 for a colour and £50.50 for a black and white TV licence.
Get your licence here.
When is Iceland vs Croatia?
The match will take place on 26 June 2018.
Kick-off is at 7pm UK time.
That is 9pm in Rostov-on-Don, Russia.
The game will be held at the Rostov Arena.
What are the confirmed team line-ups?
Who's ready for the final matches of Group D?
The team news is in...#NGAARG#ISLCRO pic.twitter.com/GT69ocJxzL — FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 26, 2018
Full squads
Iceland
Goalkeepers: Hannes Thor Halldorsson (Randers FC), Runar Alex Runarsson (FC Nordsjælland), Frederik Schram (FC Roskilde).
Defenders: Kari Arnason (Aberdeen), Ari Freyr Skulason (K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen), Birkir Mar Saevarsson (Hammarby), Sverrir Ingi Ingason (FC Rostov), Hordur Magnusson (Bristol City), Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson (Maccabi Haifa), Ragnar Sigurdsson (FC Rostov).
Midfielders: Johann Berg Gudmundsson (Burnley), Birkir Bjarnason (Aston Villa), Arnor Ingvi Traustason (Malmo FF), Emil Hallfredsson (Udinese), Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton), Olafur Ingi Skulason (Kardemir Karabukspor), Rurik Gislason (FC Nurnberg), Samuel Fridjonsson (Valerenga), Aron Gunnarsson (Cardiff City).
Forwards: Alfred Finnbogason (FC Augsburg), Bjorn Bergmann Sigurdarson (FC Rostov), Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (Reading), Albert Gudmundsson (PSV Eindhoven).
Croatia
Goalkeepers: Danijel Subasic (Monaco), Lovre Kalinic (Gent), Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo).
Defenders: Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Moscow), Domagoj Vida (Besiktas), Ivan Strinic (Sampdoria), Dejan Lovren (Liverpool), Sime Vrsaljko (Atletico Madrid), Josip Pivaric (Dynamo Kiev), Tin Jedvaj (Bayer Leverkusen), Duje Caleta-Car (Red Bull Salzburg).
Midfielders: Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona), Mateo Kovacic (Real Madrid), Milan Badelj (Fiorentina), Marcelo Brozovic (Inter), Filip Bradaric (Rijeka).
Forwards: Mario Mandzukic (Juventus), Ivan Perisic (Inter), Nikola Kalinic (Milan - sent home), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Marko Pjaca (Schalke), Ante Rebic (Eintracht).
