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Associated Press

Even in a more defensive role, Luka Modric can still lead the attack.
The Croatia midfielder scored one goal and set up the other in his team’s 2-0 victory over Nigeria on Saturday at the World Cup.
Modric sent in a corner that was headed by two teammates and then deflected into the net by Nigeria midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo in the 32nd minute.

“We scored at the perfect moment. After that it was easier for us to play our game,” Modric said. “After the first goal we started creating chances.”
Modric later converted a penalty in the 71st minute after William Ekong held onto Mario Mandzukic. It was the fifth penalty awarded in four World Cup matches on Saturday.
 




 
Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr felt his team also deserved a penalty.
“There were also so many fouls in the other box, they could have also given a penalty for us,” Rohr said.
Fifa World Cup 2018: Yussuf Poulsen winner for Denmark ruins Peru return
Croatia, with Modric and Ivan Rakitic controlling the midfield, dominated most of the match and rarely allowed Nigeria to get close to goal. It took nearly an hour for the Nigerians to have an effort on target – a header by Odion Ighalo straight at goalkeeper Danijel Subasic.
Croatia now lead group D with three points and next play Argentina on Thursday in Nizhny Novgorod. Nigeria will take on Iceland a day later in Volgograd.
“We have the youngest team in this World Cup,” Rohr said. “Let them learn from this match, from this defeat.”
Croatia’s victory sent them to the top of the group after Argentina could only manage a 1-1 draw against Iceland.

A win for Croatia against Argentina on Thursday would likely send the Croats to the round of 16.
Nigeria, however, now need a win against Iceland on Friday to have any real chance of advancing.
Modric and Rakitic pushed their team forward and did not allow Nigeria’s midfield to reach their fast, young forwards.
Fifa awards World Cup 2026 to US, Canada and Mexico after vote at Congress in Moscow
The Nigerians struggled to defend Modric’s corners, leading to both of Croatia’s goals – the scramble that led to the own-goal and then the foul on Mandzukic that earned Croatia their penalty.
“A win is a win. Corners and penalties are part and parcel of football. What matters is you score,” Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said. “There was some luck there, but we earned our luck.”


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Fifa

Fifa World Cup 2018: Luka Modric the star as Croatia top Nigeria to lead group D

Croatia celebrates after scoring the 2-0 lead during the Fifa World Cup on Saturday. Photo: EPA-EFE

epaselect epa06814442 William Ekong (C) of Nigeria fouls Mario Mandzukic (R) of Croatia in the penalty box during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group D preliminary round soccer match between Croatia and Nigeria in Kaliningrad, Russia, 16 June 2018. (RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup) EPA-EFE/ARMANDO BABANI EDITORIAL USE ONLY

epa06814266 Ivan Perisic of Croatia (back) and Abdullahi Shehu of Nigeria in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group D preliminary round soccer match between Croatia and Nigeria in Kaliningrad, Russia, 16 June 2018. (RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup) EPA-EFE/MARTIN DIVISEK EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Fifa World Cup 2018: Yussuf Poulsen winner for Denmark ruins Peru return

Yussuf Poulsen celebrates his goal for Denmark. Photo: AFP

Soccer Football - World Cup - Group C - Peru vs Denmark - Mordovia Arena, Saransk, Russia - June 16, 2018 Denmark fans celebrate at the end of the match REUTERS/Max Rossi

Denmark's Yussuf Yurary Poulsen scores his side's opening goal past Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese during the group C match between Peru and Denmark at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Mordovia Arena in Saransk, Russia, Saturday, June 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Fifa World Cup 2018: Lionel Messi misses penalty as Argentina draw with Iceland in Russia

Lionel Messi covers his face during the group D match between Argentina and Iceland at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Photo: AP

epa06813054 Alfred Finnbogason of Iceland (R) celebrates scoring during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group D preliminary round soccer match between Argentina and Iceland in Moscow, Russia, 16 June 2018. (RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup) EPA-EFE/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH EDITORIAL USE ONLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY EPA-EFE/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH EDITORIAL USE ONLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Sport

Football

Croatia now lead group D with three points and next play Argentina on Thursday in Russia


Croatia now lead group D with three points and next play Argentina on Thursday in Russia


Fifa World Cup 2018

Fifa World Cup 2018: Luka Modric the star as Croatia top Nigeria to lead group D

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Croatia now lead group D with three points and next play Argentina on Thursday in Russia

Croatia now lead group D with three points and next play Argentina on Thursday in Russia