BREAKING: Croatia 1: Nigeria: 0
Thirty two minutes into the Nigeria Vs Croatia World Cup face-off, Croatia has scored a goal against Nigeria.
The goal was own goal, enabled by Oghenekaro Etebo.
Below is the live comment on the match:
45+2 minHALF TIME: CROATIA 1-0 NIGERIA
45 minCLOSE! The Chelsea man sends the ball in where it is soon cleared into the path of Iwobi on the edge of the area. The winger puts his laces through it only to see Lovren pull off a rather special block to protect Subasic from being tested.
44 minMoses shows great feet on the right and he is able to buy a timely free kick off Rebic, leaving Nigeria with a free kick in a promising position…
42 minCroatia have put together the best part of 225 passes in this first period and that perhaps gives you some indiction of their possessional dominance. Perisic does brilliantly this time to head down for Mandzukic, who then lays it off for Vrsaljko who is breaking forward from right-back. The Atletico Madrid man’s shot is a poor one though, as the effort goes flashing wide of the target.
40 minCHANCE! Nigeria step off just a little too easily and Modric is left free to whip a cross into the box. It’s Kramaric who gets his head onto it in the middle of the area, but his deft header goes flying over the bar with Uzoho looking worried.
38 minKramaric has been the real spark so far for the Croatians. This time the forward shows some skill on the right to beat Ndidi, although the eventual cross into the box is headed away at the first time of asking by Balogun.
36 minNigeria have so far suffered from a link between midfield and attack. Ighalo is fighting valiantly for whatever is thrown forward, but a lack of support is seeing the ball come straight back at them.
34 minCroatia have at times threatened but they are fortunate to go in front. Dalic’s men have responded by taking possession and knocking the ball around the back as they try to consolidate the lead.
32 minThis has to hurt for the Nigerians. Croatia send a corner into the middle of the box where Manduzkic is able to get a head onto the cross. The effort looks to be flying wide of the far post, but it soon cannons into Etebo and past a helpless Uzoho. This game needed a goal although that was a tough one to take for the African side.
