World class Mario Mandzukic and Luka Modric make sure Croatia take the lead over World Cup Group D rivals but Nigeria are culpable for their downfall as Oghenekaro Etebo scores an own goal and William Troost-Ekong gives away a penalty.
Match Events
13' Perisic's right-footed shot is just over the bar!
Croatia carve open the Nigeria backline but Perisic cannot find the back of the net.
Modric started the move on the left wing before Mandzukic teed up the Inter man but he could only blaze his shot over the bar.
32' OWN GOAL! Croatia 1-0 Nigeria (Etebo)
Croatia lead 1-0 in Kaliningrad after a superb cross causes problems for the Nigeria defence. Mandzukic throws himself at the ball and his glancing header deflects off Etebo and creeps past Uzoho.
39' Kramaric header inches over the bar!
Andrej Kramaric (Croatia) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Ivan Rakitic.
47' Balogun's header over the bar!
71' Penalty Goal! Croatia 2-0 Nigeria (Modric)
Troost-Ekong has been booked after he pulled back Mandzukic. Silly foul and the penalty is given!
It is now 2-0 and Modric is the man of the moment. The captain takes responsibility for the penalty and he steps up before sendig Uzoho the wrong way!
Match Report
Croatia sit top of World Cup Group D after a comfortable 2-0 win over Nigeria in Kaliningrad on Saturday evening.
Zlatko Dalic's side took the lead in fortunate circumstances when Mario Mandzukic's 32nd-minute header from a Luka Modric corner was deflected into his own net by the unfortunate Oghenekaro Etebo.
Modric secured the win from the penalty spot 19 minutes from time after William Troost-Ekong needlessly fouled Mandzukic at a corner.
Line-ups
Croatia XI: Modric, Rakitic, Perisic, Mandzukic, Vida, Subasic, Strinic, Lovren, Kramaric, Vrsaljko, Rebic
Subs: Corluka, N. Kalinic, Pivaric, Badelj, L.mKalinic, Brozovic, Kovacic, Livakovic, Pjaca, Jedvaj, Caleta-Car, Bradaric
Nigeria XI: Mikel, Ighalo, Moses, Balogun, Troost-Ekong, Idowu, Iwobi, Shehu, Ndidi, Uzoho, Etebo
Subs: Echiéjilé, Ogu, Ezenwa, Obi, Onazi, Omeruo, Musa, Akpeyi, Simy, Iheanacho, Ebuehi, Awaziem
Michaelkteammadrid
217
Penalty day 😂😂😂
am_fresh
147
Finally Nigerian jersey has been launched....
GoldCash12
107
The eagles is tired to fly again I'm quitting [Cry][Cry][Cry][Cry] Let me just kuku watch zee world 😢😢 Oh Nigeria
Mosanya
105
Nigeria should know that Croatia are not here to launch their Jersey, even a penalty miss is more better than an own goal. Good win for Croatia 🇭🇷
Psalmist115
72
Nigeria thought it was a fashion parade this is world cup
Bolgiba
49
We believed they could fly...but,it seemed they were over-weighed😕😕😕. poor eagles
Bestmanfly43
48
Modric mocked Messi with this penalty kick😂😂
Nigeria2597783
45
The officiating was very bias! Super Eagles will surprise the world! I am very very optimistic! Up Super Eagles! Up Nigeria!
lopcry
37
it is not prohibited to score goals but the problem is who will equalize? even if the super eagles play against a team without defenders they will still not score. first no goal getters and you want to win.I have been saying it that beating Cameroon is not a criteria to excel in football. Super eagles should come home immediately and Start from the drawing board. They should learn to beat africa teams by margin of at least 6 to 10 goals per match before rubbing shoulders with teams from other continents.
follower
35
Nigeria deserved to lose ? what have ighalo and Etobo done other than disappearing and scoring an own goal? why iwobi haven't been switched to the no 10 position? Croatia could have scored more, but they stopped