Croatia have topped Group D with three wins, having fought off a valiant Iceland to win the last group match 2-1.
Iceland leave with their heads held high, but in a similar fashion to Australia, the inability to score has ultimately been their downfall.
A lacklustre first half saw Iceland finish the stronger, with the most meaningful chances of the game, however it was Croatia who opened the scoring in the second half through Ivan Badelj. Iceland’s tournament hopes appeared lost, until a clear handball by Croatia gave Gylfi Sigurdsson the opportunity to convert from the spot, not only making up for his Nigeria miss, but keeping Iceland in this world cup.
Alas for the Icelanders, it was not to be, a 90th minute strike to Ivan Perisic sealing Iceland’s fate, and keeping Croatia on top.
A fascinating end to this group, and while never excitement at every turn, an enjoyable match nonetheless. Croatia can now look to the knockout stage and a match up with Denmark, while Iceland’s participation is finished, but their presence in this world cup will not be easily forgotten.
Final score
Iceland 1
Croatia 2
We continue with the final group round matches, with the meeting between an Iceland team trying to keep their slim tournament hopes alive, and Croatia, who are trying to wrap up top spot in Group D. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 4am (AEST).
Both matches to finish Group D are alive, with implications for all four teams technically able to make the knockout stage of the competition.
Iceland will be marginally disappointed with their last-start loss to Nigeria. The group was there for the taking for them, having successfully navigated that daunting first up match with Argentina. Unfortunately, Croatia’s demolition of the South Americans put Iceland’s failings into perspective.
Iceland are a disciplined, formidable, energetic team who, to a man, play with a complete trust in one another
But ask Australia, and those characteristics are all for nought if you do not have that final ingredient: goal scoring. With just the one goal to their name, Iceland simply did not threaten the Nigerian defence enough, and once Nigeria turned on the pace, the Iceland team simply had no reply.
The structured Croatian play should suit Iceland’s style more, giving them hope of resurrecting their tournament, but they will need to find a way to hit the back of the net, and often, if they are to secure a surprise passage to the last 16.
Croatia have had a tournament to remember and, regardless of what happens in the next round, the victory over Argentina will live long in the memory.
Luka Modric has been, to put it simply, sublime, controlling his team with the stamp of a world-class midfielder who is at the peak of his powers. He certainly has come a long way from that fresh-faced 20-year-old who took to the field against Australia in Germany 12 years ago.
Croatia will want to finish on a high. While a draw will be enough to see them still top the group, going into a cut-throat knockout match off the back of a less than impressive performance can spell danger sometimes, and Zlatko Dalic will be reminding his players that confidence can breed complacency, which is not the mentality you want when your next match has the potential to be your last.
Also, Croatia have the opportunity to do something they’ve never done before: win three world cup matches in a row. That little place in history would sit nicely with a team already looking to make waves.
Prediction
Iceland will be desperate, but I’m not convinced that desperation will be enough to carry them over the line against a superior opponent with more confidence, and enough incentive to press for a win.
Croatia having kept two clean sheets, will also make it a third against a team that has scored just the one goal.
Iceland 0 – Croatia 2
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 4am (AEST).
perry cox
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Full Time Croatia have topped Group D with three wins, having fought off a valiant Iceland to win the last group match 2-1. Iceland leave with their heads held high, but in a similar fashion to Australia, the inability to score has ultimately been their downfall. Croatia completely owned the first half, holding so much possession that at times Iceland looked like training ground cones. Iceland appeared determined to maintain their strategy of controlled play from a positional perspective, and awaiting their chance to strike. A lacklustre first half saw Iceland finish the stronger, with the most meaningful chances of the game leading up to half time, as Iceland used the last five minutes to take strong and direct shots on goal forcing crucial and meaningful saves from Croatian keeper Lovre Kalinic, who for the majority of the half had had little to do. It was Croatia who opened the scoring in the second half, though, as Ivan Badelj came charging into the Iceland goal area and finished with a rampaging right foot strike to hit the back of the net. Iceland's tournament hopes appeared lost. There would be further twists in the tale as Iceland came back into the match, and were awarded a penalty, without VAR intervention, for what was a clear handball by Croatia. The 76th minute penalty allowed Gylfi Sigurdsson the opportunity to convert from the spot, not only making up for his Nigeria miss, but keeping Iceland in this world cup. Sigurdsson buried the ball, and the crowd came back alive, and Iceland had 15 minutes to save their world cup, as Argentina and Nigeria were battling it out in St Petersburg. When Argentina took the lead, Iceland needed just one goal to go through to the knockout stage. Alas for the Icelanders, it was not to be, and while they pressed for the match winner, it was a 90th minute strike to Ivan Perisic sealing Iceland's fate, and keeping Croatia on top, the Milan striker striking true and with absolute world class composure. A fascinating end to this group, and while never full of excitement at every turn, an enjoyable match nonetheless. Croatia can now look to the knockout stage and a match up with Denmark, while Iceland's participation is finished, but their presence in this world cup will not be easily forgotten. Hardly a classic, but nor was it forgettable, a match that was somewhere in between.
Iceland: 1 Croatia: 2
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Full Time 94' - Iceland with a corner, and Lovren clears over his own goal, Iceland with another corner. Can Iceland get the draw? It's still in the area. Ref blows it.
Iceland: 1 Croatia: 2
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93' - Iceland know it's over, but they have done themselves proud here tonight.
Iceland: 1 Croatia: 2
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92' - 4 minutes of stoppage time here.
Iceland: 1 Croatia: 2
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92' - Rakitic tries to dance on the Iceland grave, and shoots wide.
Iceland: 1 Croatia: 2
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Goal 90' - Bjarnason comes off, he can give that nose a rest. And that is game over though! Ivan Perisic has buried the finish with class, and he has ended Iceland's tournament, and sent Argentina through. What a finish from the Croatian. That was cool and world class. Iceland understandably, drop their heads.
Iceland: 1 Croatia: 2
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89' - Another shot from Croatia, it goes wide. Iceland are out on their feet here. They send it long themselves. Their world cup ticking away. Just one goal needed.
Iceland: 1 Croatia: 1
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88' - Rakitic goes for the glory, and it's just over the crossbar. Meanwhile, Argentina have taken the lead over Nigeria. Iceland will go through with a goal here.
Iceland: 1 Croatia: 1
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87' - Rakitic getting involved early. He's fouled, just outside the area, free kick Croatia. In the Kroos Zone.
Iceland: 1 Croatia: 1
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86' - Bit of energy gone out of the Iceland players. have they given too much too early? Croatia throw in.
Iceland: 1 Croatia: 1
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85' - Perisic with the shot from the free, and it just whizzes over the cross bar. Keeper went for it, just off target. Finnbogasson comes off for Gudmundsson. We have five to go.
Iceland: 1 Croatia: 1
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Yellow Card 84' - Kalinic belts clear, and Croatia breaks. Iceland commit the foul around the area, Saevarsson the culprit, and he cops a card. Croatia will send in a dangerous free kick.
Iceland: 1 Croatia: 1
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Yellow Card 83' - Here comes Iceland, and the fould is made by Jedvaj, and he gets a card for that. Terrible foul that.
Iceland: 1 Croatia: 1
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82' - Iceland deal well with a Croatia corner, and break, and break fast. Bjarnasson can't keep it in though from the switch. Iceland now are giving everything they've got.
Iceland: 1 Croatia: 1
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81' - Rakitic will come on here for Kovacic. he's had a good game, but he's tiring. And he's taking his sweet time coming from the field.
Iceland: 1 Croatia: 1
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81' - Right, we have ten minutes left. Is this the last ten minutes in Iceland's world cup?
Iceland: 1 Croatia: 1
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80' - Kovacic to Perisic, and Iceland track back in time. They've done well to press Croatia out of their turf here.
Iceland: 1 Croatia: 1
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79' - Croatia break!
Iceland: 1 Croatia: 1
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79' - Here's one of those long Gunnarsson throw ins from the right, right on the byline. Croatia head clear, Iceland still on the attack..
Iceland: 1 Croatia: 1
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78' - Iceland have a break in proceedings. They have lifted, and the Crowd starts chanting. Everyone is behind the Icelanders here.
Iceland: 1 Croatia: 1