It is a game of different importance for both teams. Croatia have qualified for the round of 16 and are almost certain to top the group, while Iceland simply need to win to help keep the fairytale alive and achieve a football milestone for the tiny Scandinavian county. Though, a win may not be enough for the Icelanders as they still have to hope that proceedings between Argentina and Nigeria go their way.
Overview:
The Croatians made the best possible start to their campaign with wins over Nigeria and a particularly impressive victory over Argentina. With their place in the Round of 16 now secure, they have the incentive of trying to emulate the nation’s magical run at France 1998. Before they set about that task though, they can have a say on who joins them in the next round. Should they beat or draw with the Icelanders, they will send them home.
Even a win may not be enough for Iceland, as they will need to keep an eye on Argentina’s meeting with Nigeria in Saint Petersburg. If Nigeria win, Iceland will go out. If Argentina draw or win, it will all come down to goal difference.
Historical match record:
History is not in favour of the Icelanders as it regards to previous matches against Croatia. Both teams have met six times and Iceland has been on the wrong end of the scoreline four times and managing just one draw and a win. But crucially it should be noted that Iceland’s only win came during their qualifiers for this year’s World Cup, the result helped Iceland top the group and sent ensure Croatia had to go through the tough task of qualifying through playoff.
Current team news
Three of the Vikings team will be playing on home turf, with Ragnar Sigurdsson, Sverrir Ingason, and Bjorn Sigurdarson all under contract at local club FC Rostov.
With top spot all but secured already, Zlatko Dalic may choose to rest some of his key players ahead of the knockout stages.
Match Prediction
Iceland will have to come out to attack, that is not their strength, they prefer to sit back and hit on a counter attack or score through set plays. That could prove to be their undoing. This game has a win for Croatia written on it. The best Iceland can expect is a draw.
Possible Line-up
Iceland: Hannes Halldorsson; Birkir Saevarsson, Kari Arnason, Ragnar Sigurdson, Hordur Magnusson; Aron Gunnarsson, Emil Hallfredsson, Johann Gudmundsson, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Birkir Bjarnason; Alfred Finnbogason
Croatia: Lovre Kalinic; Tin Jedvaj, Vedran Corluka, Domagoj Vida, Josip Pivaric; Milan Badelj, Mateo Kovacic, Filip Bradaric; Marko Pjaca, Andrej Kramaric, Ivan Perisic