Croatia opened their 2018 World Cup campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over the Super Eagles at the Kaliningrad Stadium this evening to send Zlatko Dalic’s men to the top of Group D.
An own goal from Stoke City midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo gave Croatia a half-time lead on the Night before Luka Modric secured all three points with a second-half penalty to cap off an efficient performance against a lackluster Super Eagles.
Nigeria were slightly improved in the second period and it took some clever defending from Perisic to thwart a header from Leon Balogun, who had arrived late at the front post to meet a Victor Moses corner.
Croatia showed little interest in securing a two-goal advantage after the break, although a piece of standout quality from the left foot of Perisic laid a goal on a plate for Rebic, only for the forward to somehow guide his half-volley over the bar from close range.
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