Croatia sit atop World Cup Group D table after an own goal and a penalty allowed them to beat Nigeria 2-0 on Saturday. Nigeria’s Oghenekaro Etebo was credited with the own goal as Croatia broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark at the Kaliningrad Stadium.
A diving header from Mario Mandzukic took a deflection off the midfielder and crept into the goal for a deserved lead as Croatia dominated the count of chances created in the first 45 minutes. Nigeria offered very little after the break and were dealt a second setback after William Troost-Ekong was whistled for grabbing Mandzukic while defending a corner.
Modric converted from the spot kick to double Croatia’s lead with their only shot on target. But they didn’t have to do much more as Nigeria, despite bringing on Ahmed Musa, Kelechi Iheanacho and Simeon Nwankwo off the bench, only forced Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic to make two saves.