Croatia vs Nigeria was the last match of a long day at the World Cup, one that began at 6 a.m. ET (that’s 4 a.m. for yours truly). We could forgive you if you couldn’t stay awake for the match, which wasn’t quite up to par with the first three — especially if you were following our lead making World Cup cocktails and playing drinking games.
Fortunately for you, we did stay awake, so we’re here to tell you what you missed in the Croatia vs Nigeria match, which Croatia won 2-0 with a strong performance.
The Blazers won just as they did in World Cup qualifying — with stellar defense and a couple difference-makers up front. Croatia allowed five goals in 12 World Cup qualifiers and the back line of Ivan Strinic, Domagoj Vida, Dejan Lovren and Sime Vrsaljko was flawless against Nigeria. But it wasn’t the defense that won the match for Croatia, it was the midfield.
With Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic patrolling the middle of the park, plus the aggression of the other four offensive-minded players on the pitch, prevented Nigeria from ever getting into the match. The Super Eagles appeared clueless about how to work around the Croatian pressure, never able to hold sustained possession in Croatia’s defensive half.
Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic helped spark Croatia into the in the 32nd minute off a corner kick taken by Modric. The ball bounced off the heads of Strinic and Mandzukic before deflecting off Oghenekaro Etebo and into the back of the net for an own goal.
#MundialTelemundo #CRO abrió el marcador con autogol de Etebo y así lo narró @ErasmoProvenza pic.twitter.com/B3XHMaJzYB
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 16, 2018
Croatia made it 2-0 when William Troost-Ekong made the boneheaded decision to try to tackle Mario Mandzukic on a corner kick. The referee made the right decision to award a penalty and Luka Modric converted in the 71st minute.
WWE to sign Nigerian defender Ekong#fifa #WorldCup #CRONGA #nigeriavscroatia pic.twitter.com/IjzU0zM1TS
— UTTFootball (@UTTFootball) June 16, 2018
#MundialTelemundo @lukamodric10 aumentó la ventaja de #CRO sobre #NGA y así lo narró @ErasmoProvenza pic.twitter.com/8BZO2NYv5w
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 16, 2018
Nigeria brought the youngest team to Russia in the World Cup and that inexperience showed. Modric and Rakitic marshaled the pitch while Premier League stars (or former stars) John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho were unable to impose themselves on the match. Moses highlight the struggles, occasionally getting into strong positions but either falling down meekly looking for a foul or sending in a cross that harmlessly flies out of bounds.
After the Croatia vs Nigeria match, which capped off the longest day on the World Cup schedule, the Blazers lead Group D after Argentina’s surprising draw with Iceland earlier in the day.
Now go take another nap. You’ve earned it.
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