Croatia sit atop World Cup Group D after an own goal and a penalty saw them take out victory against Nigeria 2-0 in each country’s opening group D match.
Nigeria’s Oghenekaro Etebo was the unlucky Nigerian who scored an own goal to open the scoring just after the half-hour mark at the Kaliningrad Stadium.
Croatia were not troubled in large by the Nigerians, despite the Nigerians having more shots on goal, and when William Troost-Ekong was whistled for grabbing and impeding Mandzukic while defending a corner, Luka Modric converted the penalty to extend Croatia’s lead to 2-nil.
While Nigeria forced some saves from the Croatian keeper, the three points were wrapped up somewhat easily by the Europeans.
Nigeria’s Oghenekaro Etebo was credited with the own goal for the opening goal of the affair, as Croatia broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark at the Kaliningrad Stadium.
Juventus star Mario Mandzukic’s header took a deflection off the Nigerian midfielder and crept into the goal.
Despite it only being an own goal, it was very much a deserved lead to Croatia, who dominated the count of chances and possession held in the first half.
Nigeria offered little more after the break and conceding a disappointing penalty when William Troost-Ekong was penalised for grabbing and fouling Mandzukic while defending a corner.
Luka Modric converted from the spot extending Croatia’s lead.
But they didn’t have to do much more against a Nigerian side that barely huffed, and did not puff, putting little concern on blowing anything down.
Nigeria made mass changes in the second half, as they brought on Ahmed Musa, Kelechi Iheanacho and Simeon Nwankwo off the bench.
While the Africans managed a seemingly impressive 14 shots on goal, they only made the Croatian keeper Danijel Subasic make two real saves.
As such, Croatia have given themselves the perfect opening and an excellent chance to move through to the knockout stages, while Nigeria will have it all to do, particularly taking into account the surprise earlier result between Argentina and Iceland, their 1-all draw throwing this group right open, and setting up two more intriguing matches in a week’s time.