Ćorluka celebrates 100 caps
Excellent Croatia stuns Argentina to reach Round of 16!
21.06.2018.
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
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