Iceland 1-2 Croatia
We’ve heard the last Thunderclap of this year’s World Cup as minnows Iceland went out of Group D tonight, losing 2-1 to Croatia.
They faced a side which had destroyed Argentina with as blistering a display of football as we’ve seen so far at FIFA World Cup 2018 though excited England fans may beg to differ.
And this game was a lovely opportunity for Croatia, already qualified, to enjoy their football while all around them in the Group of Death fought tooth and nail to survive. Zlatco Dalic’s team is fast becoming hot property in the FIFA World Cup 2018 betting markets.
We all expected Iceland to give this a real go and so they did.
Highlights of the game
At odds of around 7.50 to progress this was always going to be an uphill task for Heimir Hallgrimson’s warriors but they may have been encouraged by the news that Dalic had made nine changes to the side which had won so well last week. Iceland was also boosted by the return of Johann Berg Gudmundsson, and they would need his pace and industry to have any chance of winning this game.
Croatia had the first meaningful attempt on goal on 20 minutes, and it was the two surviving players from the win over Argentina linking up. Luka Modric put a superb ball into the box and it fell to Ivan Rakitic who took aim and saw his shot deflected for a corner.
The FIFA World Cup 2018 updates come by the minute on ‘do or die’ days like these, and when the news that Lionel Messi had put Argentina ahead against Nigeria came through; Iceland knew they desperately needed a goal. And the chance came to big defender Hordur Magnusson who found himself alone at the back post to meet a corner, but headed wide when he really should have hit the target.
Iceland began to rack up the set pieces as they searched for a goal, and on 31 minutes Everton playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson struck a free-kick pretty well but keeper Lovre Kalinic held on comfortably. And the back-up Croatia keeper made a great save in first half injury time when Gudmundsson passed infield to Aron Gunnarsson and the Cardiff midfield man hit a searing, swerving drive which Kalinic palmed to safety.
Iceland were well on top at the break and, as things stood, one goal would push them up into the top two. But Dalic must have had a few harsh words with his second string in the half time break because they came out on the attack. Milan Badelj was so unlucky when he watched his 25 yard strike crash back off the bar. But his disappointment was short lived, and on 53 minutes Croatia went ahead when Badelj smacked a half-volley past Halldorsson and into the net.
That would have finished lesser teams but the Icelanders are made of stern stuff. Iceland came roaring back and Kalinic was called into action again to tip over a header from Sverrir Ingason. And the centre back came even closer on 56 minutes, meeting a corner well but this time his header hit the bar.
Then on 76 minutes the Icemen were handed a lifeline when Dejan Lovren handled in the box; and Gylfi Sigurdssson banished the memory of his missed penalty against Nigeria by firing this one into the top corner. And that was enough to get the Viking Thunderclap going which reverberated around the Rostov Arena.
But try as they might Iceland couldn’t break through again and they were put out of their misery by Ivan Peresic who picked the ball up on the edge of the box and hammered it into the top corner.
It was a typical Iceland display, full of guts and endeavour, but it wasn’t quite enough.
Key statistics
This was Iceland’s first ever World Cup and they did themselves proud.
The quality of Croatia’s squad eventually shone through, even with nine changes they dominated big parts of the game, though Iceland battled for the full 95 minutes.
While Croatia had 61 per cent possession, in an end to end game Iceland had more shots at 16 to 14. Gudmundsson’s return meant 30 crosses went in for Iceland, but Croatia used the ball well, with 86 per cent passing accuracy.
What’s next?
Croatia arrived in Russia a little under the radar but pundits have been watching Zlatco Dalic’s side for a while, and they are a match for anyone on their day.
They will now play Denmark in the Round of 16 and let’s hope we see Iceland again in two years at the Euros.
In the meantime keep an eye out for the SBOBET tips for the next round, out soon!
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