Croatia 2-0 Nigeria
A first-ever meeting between the two countries.
That’s what makes the performance of one nation so surprising.
Nigeria, the Super Eagles, supposedly everyone’s second team, cheered onto the rafters by passionate, colourful fans.
Why did they offer so little in this opening Group D game against Croatia in Kaliningrad?
Highlights of the game
I should say the match, but in truth, it wasn’t.
At the most western venue of FIFA 2018, Nigeria fans were told before the kick-off that they couldn’t take their lucky chickens inside the stadium with them.
The birds, painted in green and white, are said by Nigeria supporters to bring good fortune to the team, but the minister of culture in the region understandably turned down the request.
That story was one highlight.
Another was the news that this state of the art stadium will not be a long-term venue. It has since emerged it was built on unoccupied swampland and is slowly sinking.
Nigeria probably have a sinking feeling after this performance for at no time did they really look like a dangerous outfit, a side with the colour and passion to match that of their following.
Perhaps we should have known when one of the anticipated FIFA 2018 highlights – the iconic Super Eagles football kit – was not being worn, to the disappointment of many of their colourful following.
Nigeria were certainly lethargic, and there was little urgency from them until the late arrival of Leicester striker Kelechi Iheanacho and club team-mate Ahmed Musa.
Aside from that and some early weaving runs from Odion Ighalo, now in China but a player who was flying at Watford for six months three seasons ago, there was no intensity from the lacklustre Africans either.
Sure, Croatia have got proven professionals in the likes of Luka Modric and Mario Mandzukic, but it was hard to gauge too much from this showing.
If they are indeed an international side nearing the end of their peak, it was hard to argue against the claim at times during a tame first half in which, apart from an Ivan Perisic rocket which flew narrowly over the crossbar, generated little goalmouth action.
Croatia, building patiently while waiting for a killer pass, did get their wish before the break but lady luck was on their side.
A Modric corner was met by Mario Mandzukic, but the ball was heading wide until it took an unfortunate deflection off Oghenekaro Etebo.
In the stadium, the goal was credited to Andrej Kramaric but Etebo, snapped up by Stoke City earlier this week, knew the real outcome.
Croatia tails were now up, although controlled, and they were rarely threatened before making the game safe 19 minutes from time.
Mandzukic was fouled by William Troost-Ekong, who wrapped his arm around the striker. Modric converted the fifth penalty of the day in the World Cup, despatched to the right of Nigeria’s teenage goalkeeper Francis Uzoho.
Former Croatia manager Slaven Bilic said pre-match this side had the potential to be better than Croatia 98 which reached the semi-finals of the tournament and ended up in third place.
That claim could not be judged on this performance.
After Modric’s intervention, it was game over. Croatia were no more than competent – they didn’t need to be.
Nigeria, in what was dubbed a potentially explosive battle in the group of death, were lifeless.
Key statistics
Croatia led 1-0 at the break despite neither side managing a shot on target.
The Croats’ first shot from open play didn’t arrive until the 92nd minute.
Croatia have only won two of their last eight World Cup games.
Since finishing third 20 years ago, Croatia have never advanced beyond the group stages.
Nigeria had two shots on target during the contest, the same total as Croatia.
What’s next?
SBOBET football tells us Croatia now lead Group D, a position which puts pressure on their next opponents and supposedly FIFA 2018 betting favourites Argentina ahead of their clash on June 21 in the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.
The following day, Nigeria meet Iceland at the Volgograd Arena.
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