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| Luka Modric (L) of Croatia competes during a group D match between Croatia and Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Kaliningrad, Russia, June 16, 2018. Croatia won 2-0. -⸺ Photo Xinhua |
Viet Nam News
KALININGRAD, Russia - ⸺ A Luka Modric penalty and an own goal from Oghenekaro Etebo gave former semi-finalists Croatia an easy 2-0 win over Nigeria in their World Cup Group D opener on Saturday.
In Russia’s sleepy European exclave of Kaliningrad - perhaps best known for its nuclear missile sites - the much-hyped youngsters of Nigeria struggled to ignite against Croatia’s midfield technicians.
With rivals Argentina and Iceland only managing a 1-1 draw earlier Saturday in Saransk, both sides had a chance to take control of Group D.
Nigeria, knowing they were always likely to struggle for possession against a central one-two of Modric and Ivan Rakitic, were content to sit back and allow Croatia to come to them.
But they were rigid and well-organised, and largely restricted Modric’s distribution to the flanks, where Croatia’s final ball was poor.
After 10 minutes, Juventus target man Mario Mandzukic teed up Ivan Perisic at the edge of the area only for the Inter Milan forward to blaze over.
Croatia, semi-finalists at France ’98, have struggled to live up to the lofty expectations borne of an embarrassment of midfield riches, and meekly lost their World Cup opener 3-1 to hosts Brazil four years ago. — AFP
