National Teams

Ćorluka celebrates 100 caps

Excellent Croatia
stuns Argentina to
reach Round of 16!

21.06.2018.
Excellent Croatia stuns Argentina to reach Round of 16!
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Croatia national football team secured 2018 FIFA World Cup second round berth courtesy of a magnificent 3:0 win over Argentina.

ARGENTINA - CROATIA 0:3 (0:0)
2018 FIFA World Cup, Group D.
Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod.

Referee: R. Irmatov (Uzbekistan)

Goals: 0:1 - Rebić (53'), 0:2 - Modrić (80'), 0:3 - Rakitić (90+1')

Cautions: Rebić (39'), Mercado (51'), Mandžukić (59'), Vrsaljko (67'), Otamendi (85'), Acuna (87'), Brozović (90+4')

Argentina: Caballero, Mercado, Otamendi, Tagliafico, Salvio (56' Pavon), Mascherano, Perez (68' Dybala), Acuna, Messi, Meza, Aguero (54' Higuain). Head coach: J. Sampaoli.

Croatia: Subašić, Strinić, Vida, Lovren, Vrsaljko, Brozović, Rakitić, Perišić (82' Kovačić), Modrić, Rebić (57' Kramarić), Mandžukić (90+3' Ćorluka). Head coach: Z. Dalić.

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

A beautiful Croatian evening in Nizhny Novgorod saw the Vatreni defeating the current World Cup runners-up, Argentina, with a three-goal margin. Croatia vice-captain Vedran Ćorluka, moreover, joined the prestigious Club 100.

The first half was opened by Perišić, with Meza, Acuna, and Perez responding for Argentina - clipping the bar and missing the empty net following Croatia's defensive mistake. However, Croatia's defence managed to control Argentine forwards, and Rebić had an excellent opportunity to score in the closing minutes. Still, it remained goalless.

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

Aguero was to open the second half with his effort, but it was Croatia who took the lead on 53 minutes. Argentine goalie Caballero's blunder was punished by Rebić, who sent a stunning volley right on target.

Later on, a joint effort by Subašić and Rakitić saved the day for Croatia, Mandžukić and Dybala fired off the target, while the Vatreni confirmed their victory in the final ten minutes.

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

Captain Modrić beat Caballero from outside of the box and doubled the lead, with Rakitić hitting the woodwork only minutes afterwards. In added time, Kovačić was selfless to assist Rakitić for an easy tap-in (3:0).

Croatia vice-captain Ćorluka came on in the closing stages to earn his 100th international cap. 

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

Nigeria and Iceland meet on Friday in Volgograd to complete the second round of Group D matches. 

2018 FIFA World Cup, Group D:
1. Croatia 6 (2)
2. Iceland 1 (1)
3. Argentina 1 (2)
4. Nigeria 0 (1)

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

21.06.2018., , Nižnji Novgorod. Spectators: 43319
Referees: Ravshan Irmatov (UZB), Abdukhamidullo RAsulov (UZB), Jakhongir Saidov (UZB)
Fourth referee: Norbert HAuata (TAH)
Argentina
0
Croatia
3
23Wilfredo Caballero23Danijel Subašić
2Gabriel Mercado
51'
7Ivan Rakitić
90'+1'
3Nicolas Tagliafico10Luka Modrić
80'
8Marcos Acuna
87'
2Šime Vrsaljko
67'
10Lionel Messi6Dejan Lovren
13Maximiliano Meza18Ante Rebić
39'
53'
57'
14Javier Mascherano4Ivan Perišić
82'
15Enzo Perez
68'
3Ivan Strinić
17Nicolas Otamendi
85'
17Mario Mandžukić
58'
90'+3'
18Eduardo Salvio
56'
21Domagoj Vida
19Sergio Aguero
54'
11Marcelo Brozović
Bench
1Nahuel Guzman1Dominik Livaković
12Franco Armani12Lovre Kalinić
4Cristian Ansaldi14Filip Bradarić
5Lucas Biglia9Andrej Kramarić
57'
6Federico Fazio8Mateo Kovačić
82'
7Ever Banega5Vedran Ćorluka
90'+4'
90'+3'
9Gonzalo Higuain
54'
15Duje Ćaleta-Car
11Angel Di Maria13Tin Jedvaj
16Marcos Rojo20Marko Pjaca
20Giovani Lo Celso22Josip Pivarić
21Paulo Dybala
68'
19Milan Badelj
22Cristian Pavon
56'
Coaches
Jorge SampaoliZlatko Dalić

Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalić and vice-captain Ivan Rakitić held a press conference on the eve of the Argentina encounter in Nizhny Novgorod.

Zlatko Dalić

"As I've mentioned, there will be a couple of tactical changes, but not too many, since we were very organized against Nigeria. This is no time for major changes, Croatia will stay true to its style and try to present quality. We respect Argentine, one of the best teams in the world, but we respect ourselves as well. It will be a great match, the easiest one for us since it is Messi's Argentina on the other side. Of course, Argentina is not the easist opponent, but we've got nothing to lose, and the pressure is on them. Croatia will not seek a draw, because then we'll be left empty-handed"

"I agree that Messi is the best player in the world and no player can defend single-handedly. Our formation must be our defence, to keep him away from the ball, but simultaneously we have to watch out for other Argentina players. If we stay compact in defence, we can try to transform into attack. However, we can't defend as Iceland did, since we have no such players, but I have limitless trust in my players. We care about the outcome, but my players have to enjoy football show their skill"

Ivan Rakitić

"It is a great opportunity to play against one of the best teams in the world and Croatia highly motivated. It's a special feeling to play against Argentina, a favourite to win the World Cup, regardless of their draw against Iceland. Croatia plays differently, and the outcome is important to both teams. We expect an aggressive opponent, and considering they have the best player in the world, it could be tough. However, we believe in our quality, required to make our dreams come true. It will be a beautiful day at the World Cup"

"We want to show that Croatia is strong, we need a perfect, united team performance to win a point or three. Our head coach is ready for any scenario, yet we are aware that Messi is the best and that he will have his moments. We need to stop him, but also to enjoy the match. Messi is an excellent teammate and I wish him all the best, except against Croatia. There is no player more proud to wear Argentina jersey and we all admire that. I am proud to have the opportunity to play with both Messi and Modrić - different players, but equally necessary at Barcelona and Croatia. I would always include them both in my ideal XI"

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foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
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