FIFA World Cup
World Cup 2018: Croatia Emphatic Win Over Nigeria
Kaliningrad, Russia- Croatia cruise past Nigeria in a tale of two halves. Croatia breeze past Nigeria in a 2-0 win for the Croats.
Croatia gave too much respect to Nigeria in the first half even though they scored a header. Whereas in the second half, they were much more attacking and direct. Even though Nigeria had more attempts on goal with 14 compared to Croatia’s 13 with both teams with 3 on target. Croatia took the game by the scruff of its neck.
The first goal came when midfielder Etebo, who joined Stoke City for €7.2million on Monday, turned a Modric corner into his own net after Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic both flicked the delivery on.
Mandzukic’s aerial power causing plenty of problems for Nigeria, who have the youngest squad at the World Cup.
After a nervy opening period, Croatia registered the first shot on goal. Nigeria forward Alex Iwobi was buzzing around well and was exciting, but again his finishing failed him.
Nigeria’s lack of quality in the final third was evident and after Troost-Ekong was penalized for holding Mandzukic in the penalty area, Modric sent Uzoho the wrong way from 12 yards for his first World Cup goal.
A comeback for the super eagles never looked likely, with Croatia looking determined to hold on to their two-goal lead in the latter stages.
Croatia next faces Messi’s Argentina on Thursday, while Nigeria is in action the following day against World Cup debutants Iceland.
