FIFA World Cup 2018: Croatia And Iceland Put On A Stellar Show

Group D leaders Croatia faced Iceland in the third game at the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia. The final scoreline in Croatia vs Iceland was 2-1.

The two side gave an exhibition of attacking football on Tuesday.

The first-half didn’t start on the same note. It was dull and boring. Both teams seemed to have neutralised each other out. Croatia dominated the possession but didn’t do anything significant. It was a second string side that had come out for them, given they have already qualified for the next stage.

However, Iceland didn’t have the same luxury. They needed to win this game to get past the group stage in their first ever World Cup attempt. The team started to instill their gameplan more often and were succeeding in the final third. They upped the ante in the dying embers of the first half when they won a corner. Two back to back chances went missing, and it appeared that if the half was extended for a while more, Iceland will score.

But, the referee blew the whistle and Croatia were saved. The coach must’ve done a proper job with his players in the dressing room as they came out sharper.

When Milan Badelj scored for Croatia in the 53rd minute, that’s when the game changed. Not The Vikings had to score a goal to stay in the game. They went all out at Croatia and it appeared that they were getting tired. Iceland was relentless in their pursuit, throwing every single body ahead to get back in the game.

Their surmounting pressure finally did give them a positive result. One of the crosses hit a Croatian hand and the referee pointed to the spot. Gylfi Sigurdsson scored for Iceland and a ray of hope was seen for the team.

Swashbuckling football would be the ideal word that would describe the last 15 minutes, which saw both teams attacking as if there was no tomorrow. Iceland’s lack of experience cost them the big pie, and a  mistake led to behind one more time. Ivan Perisic scored a spectacular goal for the team in the 92nd minute. With this win grab the top spot and will be facing Denmark in the Round of 16.