Croatia barely bought into second gear as they cruised to a snug 2-Zero victory over an extremely disappointing Nigeria facet on Saturday night.
Attacking soccer did not appear to be on the forefront of both facet's minds, and the 2 objectives will not reside lengthy within the reminiscence. The first got here from a Mario Mandzukic effort which deflected in off of Oghenekaro Etebo, and the second was a Modric penalty.
Here are three issues we discovered from the lower than traditional conflict...
3. Croatia Must Do More to Support Mario Mandzukic Up Top
If you give Mario Mandzukic an alternative to rating he'll normally take it with each fingers. He is thought for being a medical finisher, particularly together with his head, however he was typically starved of service all through the conflict with Nigeria and lower a pissed off determine at occasions.
If Croatia are going to play him as a sole striker, they are going to want to play to his strengths to get the most effective out of him. This means offering as many balls into the field as potential, and having gamers who're keen to get shut to the Juventus striker to win any potential knockdowns.
Croatia did not do that in opposition to Nigeria they usually bought away with it, however in opposition to a extra resolute facet like Iceland, they could battle.
2. Nigeria's Kit is a Whole Lot Better Than They Are
All the hype surrounding Nigeria earlier than this yr's World Cup surrounded one factor particularly - their package.
It bought out on-line in minutes and for good motive. It is a hell of a vogue assertion if nothing else.
But if their package is the most effective within the event, their squad seems to be the weakest. They have been totally hapless in opposition to Croatia and appeared as although they have been nonetheless warming up for the large competitors.
No-one of their facet shone and a few of their Premier League stars appeared to this point off the tempo it was scary. Alex Iwobi was nearly non-existent, and Wilfred Ndidi seems as although he has been rushed again from damage too quickly.
1. Iceland Stand a Serious Chance of Qualifying From Group D
Group D was set to be a fascinating battle of equally matched sides, however it was blown broad open when Iceland triggered a huge upset by holding Argentina to a 1-1 draw within the different group sport.
The perennial underdogs would have been watching the conflict between Croatia and Nigeria with bated anticipation. Neither facet carried out nicely, and after their good efficiency in opposition to Argentina, they are going to be greater than assured that they will decide up not less than one victory.
They are in a very stable place going into the second spherical of matches, and Croatia and Nigeria each want to watch their backs.