Croatians in a celebratory mood: opening win against Nigeria

Croatia has put itself in a good position in the fight for a place in the round of 2 at the World Cup in Russia. The Croatians defeated Nigeria 0-1 (0-1) in their opening game on Saturday evening and moved to the top of the table in Group D. Favorite Argentina had previously not gotten beyond a 1-XNUMX draw against World Cup debutants Iceland.

The Croatians took the lead in front of 31.000 spectators in Kaliningrad with an own goal from Oghenekaro Etebo (32nd). Captain Luka Modric made the decision with a penalty (71'). In the top group, the 1998 World Cup third place will face Argentina on Thursday, while the Nigerians will face Iceland on Friday.

The Croatians also set the tone in the stands. © APA/afp / OZAN KOSE

Offensive Croats Croatia's team boss Zlatko Dalic relied on an extremely offensive starting line-up. Four attackers started with Ante Rebic, Andrej Kramaric, Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic, who was deployed in the center of the attack. Behind them, captain Modric and Ivan Rakitic formed a strong midfield axis. As expected, Salzburg defender Duje Caleta Car was on the bench.

The Croats dominated the game, but they were rarely really compelling against defensively minded Nigerians. Perisic shot over from just outside the penalty area (14th). A standard situation once again made it 1-0 at this World Cup: Etebo unfortunately deflected a Mandzukic header that would have gone wide of the goal after an extended corner from Modric.

Croatia knocked again before the break through Kramaric with a header from Rakitic's cross (39'). Despite well-known names like John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses and Alex Iwobi, the Nigerians showed little initiative on the offensive for a long time. The first semi-dangerous action of the average youngest World Cup team was a blocked Iwobi shot in stoppage time in the first half (45th+1). Nigeria have been winless in 5 games Moses, the most noticeable Nigerian, missed the near corner shortly after the break (49'). On the other side, Rebic had already made it 2-0, but failed to put a Perisic cross into the goal (56'). The Africans got into the game a little better, but in the 71st minute the cold shower followed: William Ekong had clung to Mandzukic at a corner in the penalty area, and Modric safely converted the penalty in the left corner.

Nigeria were no longer able to make any decisive gains in the finish. The “Super Eagles”, who had been preparing for the World Cup in Burgenland, have not won five international matches in a row and have lost four of them. In 2014 they made it to the World Cup round of 0. At that time, the Nigerians failed against France (2:XNUMX). The Croatians were eliminated in the group phase four years ago.

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Croatians in a celebratory mood: opening win against Nigeria

Cheered on by more than 12.000 Croatian fans who traveled with them, Modric and Co. achieved a confident opening victory against Nigeria at the World Cup in Russia.

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