Iceland's Alfred Finnbogason tries to score past Croatia goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic CREDIT: AP
26 JUNE 2018 • 8:52PM
Iceland 1 - 2 Croatia
26/06/2018 19:00
Referee: Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz|Venue: Rostov Arena
Gylfi Sigurdsson 76
Milan Badelj 53
Ivan Perisic 90
Live updates from Nigeria vs Argentina in today's other World Cup 2018 Group D match here
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26 JUNE 2018 • 8:52PM
Iceland 1 - 2 Croatia
26/06/2018 19:00
Referee: Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz|Venue: Rostov Arena
Gylfi Sigurdsson 76
Milan Badelj 53
Ivan Perisic 90
Live updates from Nigeria vs Argentina in today's other World Cup 2018 Group D match here
Auto update
8:52pm
Full time: Iceland 1 Croatia 2
That is it. A solid effort from Croatia's nine changes, Iceland played well and tried their hearts out.
8:52pm
90+ mins: Iceland 1 Croatia 2
Ball into the mixer, Croatia manage somehow to get it behind for the corner.
From that, Lovren - who has been useless - nearly heads it into his own net.
8:51pm
90+ mins: Iceland 1 Croatia 2
This Icelandic side never gives up. They look pretty knackered but they are giving it everything. Pressing and hoping to pinch one. Corluka has to make an important intervention
8:49pm
GOAL! Iceland 1 Croatia 2 (Perisic 90)
That is the end of that. Croatia on the break, Perisic hurtling down the left, thumping strike that gives the keeper no chance and surely that 90th-minute goal wraps things up.
90+ mins: Iceland 1 Croatia 2
This Icelandic side never gives up. They look pretty knackered but they are giving it everything. Pressing and hoping to pinch one. Corluka has to make an important intervention
8:49pm
GOAL! Iceland 1 Croatia 2 (Perisic 90)
That is the end of that. Croatia on the break, Perisic hurtling down the left, thumping strike that gives the keeper no chance and surely that 90th-minute goal wraps things up.
8:45pm
86 mins: Iceland 1 Croatia 1
Rakitic with a nice effort curled just over. And now another effort. Croatia is all over Iceland now. Kramaric beats his man and fires wide.
8:45pm
Argentina have scored
Four minutes to go. It's 2-1 to Argentina. Rojo slotted it home with a wonderful strike. It means that Iceland needs just one goal.
8:42pm
84 mins: Iceland 1 Croatia 1
Iceland comes on the break and it needs a foul to stop them. Saevarsson booked for hacking down Perisic, who should have passed to not one but two unmarked teammates. Should have wrapped it up. Can he make amends from the free? Perisic with a nice curler. Just over.
8:41pm
83 mins: Iceland 1 Croatia 1
Here is a decent opportunity though, freekick, after Jedvaj fouls Gudmundsson.
CREDIT: BBC
Punched away.
Punched away.
8:40pm
81 mins: Iceland 1 Croatia 1
Really good corner from Croatia, punches clear, here in Iceland on the break. Bjarnason bursting to get there but he's run out of puff.
8:38pm
80 mins: Iceland 1 Croatia 1
Iceland must score. Whatever happens, a draw will not be enough. Kovacic is coming off. Rakitic is the quality replacement.
8:33pm
GOAL! Iceland 1 Croatia 1 (Sigurdsson 76p)
Sigurdsson hits it very hard, leaning back and it is into the roof of the net.
VAR drama in the other match as Nigeria want a penalty... no! Not given!
8:32pm
PENALTY TO ICELAND!
Oh, my goodness. It's Lovren with a handball! Sigurdsson crossed it from the left, Lovren sticks out his arm a bit and there is no doubt about that. Lovren's first touch more or less.
8:32pm
68 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 1
Oh, Iceland! Was that the moment? They get down the right, cross it, and the player has missed a glorious opportunity. Looked a little leggy as he ran to strike it.
8:29pm
68 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 1
Marko Pjaca, whose last name is apparently pronounced like that of the former New York Mets catcher, comes off.
Lovren comes on.
8:26pm
67 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 1
Croatia plays it out from the defense, quite classy.
8:24pm
64 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 1
Modric off. Filip Bradaric.
8:23pm
63 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 1
Ball through for Finnbogason, he slides in on the keeper, not sure it was malicious as such but he's hurt the goalie and a yellow is fair enough.
CREDIT: BBC
8:21pm
60 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 1
Modric has a chance to drill in a freekick but instead sends in a floaty effort, easy to deal with.
60 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 1
Modric has a chance to drill in a freekick but instead sends in a floaty effort, easy to deal with.
8:19pm
58 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 1
Emil Hallfredsson booked for sliding in on Marko Pjaca. Iceland's first yellow of the tournament.
58 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 1
Emil Hallfredsson booked for sliding in on Marko Pjaca. Iceland's first yellow of the tournament.
8:14pm
55 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 1
Another huge chance! It's a corner, it's the big number five Ingason again. He rises powerfully and heads over. That was a really big opportunity.
55 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 1
Another huge chance! It's a corner, it's the big number five Ingason again. He rises powerfully and heads over. That was a really big opportunity.
8:13pm
54 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 1
The long throw from the Icers, the Rory Delap special. Bundle in the area. Header from Sverrir Ingi Ingason. Great tip over from the keeper.
8:11pm
GOAL! Iceland 0 Croatia 1 (Badelj 53)
It is a nice move. Battling from the man down the left, Pivaric, and he manages to get the cross in. It takes a deflection and sits up for Badelj. Wonderful technique on the volley as he steers that home from about ten yards. Got over it.
8:10pm
Nigeria scored their penalty
Ooh, Iceland.
8:10pm
51 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
But here is Croatia's best moment of the match. Badelj surges forward and lets us fly. It takes a deflection and crashes against the crossbar with the goalie well beaten.
8:08pm
50 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Iceland, pressing, probing, playing all the football now.
8:07pm
Nigeria has got a penalty!
Ooooh, Iceland.
8:07pm
48 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Bjarnason seemingly fulled recovered from that elbow in the cakehole, takes a quick corner.
Croatia yet to turn up for the second half. They are there for the taking.
8:05pm
46 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Early freekick for the Icers, but Croatia's 6'7" keeper gathers that with real authority. Looks a real talent.
8:02pm
Players are out for the second half
No obvious changes. Iceland must score.
7:52pm
Bloody but unbowed
Viking blood: Birkir Bjarnason was elbowed in the face CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
7:52pm
Shots
7:51pm
Who needs what?
If Iceland and Argentina both win, it would come down to goal difference, with Argentina needing to win by at least one more goal than Iceland to overhaul them.
As it stands, Argentina is just one up, so Iceland just needs one. But a draw will not do.
7:49pm
Halftime: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Croatia, who are the classier outfit, started the better, Iceland was a little too respectful. But once they settled, they looked more dangerous, and they created better chances. Croatia, who made 9 changes for this match, is only sporadically engaging. Iceland wants it bad.
7:48pm
45+ mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Wonderful shot from Iceland's Gunnarsson and a really classy save from L Kalinic in goal. Really fine stop. That's the last action of the half.
7:47pm
43 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Hallfredsson pumps over. Here's Magnússon down the flank. Wins a corner. And it's very nearly a profitable one! Decent delivery, Ingason gets the better of the keeper. Nods it down for Bjarnason, who wallops a shot again. Blocked.
7:42pm
41 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Here's Modric. Again, the bit of quality in the run, but the shot is wide. Croatia yet to have one on target. Referee, by the way, is a fusspot who is blowing for everything.
7:41pm
39 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Croatia sloppy. Playing like a team with nothing to play for, which is fairly accurate. Finnbogason robs a sleeping defender, drives forward and shoots just wide.
7:40pm
37 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Best move so far from Croatia. Modric running from deep. But it flounders on the poor decision making from Kramaric.
7:38pm
36 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Perisic with a great run, nobody in the box for him. Hallfredsson stops him.
7:35pm
32 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Iceland is on top now. Here they come down the right. Win a corner. Delivered in. Scramble! Gudmundsson, I think it is, strikes the shot. Blocked by Perisic. Hacked clear by a panicky Croatia.
7:31pm
29 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Croatia had the best of the first 20 but it has been Iceland since. Hallfredsson is chopped down, giving Gylfi Sigurdsson a chance from the freekick. Keeper takes it fairly easily.
7:28pm
26 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Corner for the ice men. And a good one too, deep and well directed. Magnússon gets up and heads wide. Should have done better. He scored v Croatia in qualifying.
7:26pm
23 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Left side on the break looks Iceland's best chance of glory. Magnússon bombs forward from left back, crosses... and wallops Corluka in the face with the ball.
7:23pm
22 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Iceland looking dangerous on the break here.
20m: Birkir is temporarily sent off the pitch to plug his bleeding nose. It’s not for appearances or his health, but because trolls are rumored to grow from the turf wherever a drop of Birkin's blood falls.
7:21pm
Modric pre-match
7:52pm
Shots
7:51pm
Who needs what?
If Iceland and Argentina both win, it would come down to goal difference, with Argentina needing to win by at least one more goal than Iceland to overhaul them.
As it stands, Argentina is just one up, so Iceland just needs one. But a draw will not do.
7:49pm
Halftime: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Croatia, who are the classier outfit, started the better, Iceland was a little too respectful. But once they settled, they looked more dangerous, and they created better chances. Croatia, who made 9 changes for this match, is only sporadically engaging. Iceland wants it bad.
7:48pm
45+ mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Wonderful shot from Iceland's Gunnarsson and a really classy save from L Kalinic in goal. Really fine stop. That's the last action of the half.
7:47pm
43 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Hallfredsson pumps over. Here's Magnússon down the flank. Wins a corner. And it's very nearly a profitable one! Decent delivery, Ingason gets the better of the keeper. Nods it down for Bjarnason, who wallops a shot again. Blocked.
7:42pm
41 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Here's Modric. Again, the bit of quality in the run, but the shot is wide. Croatia yet to have one on target. Referee, by the way, is a fusspot who is blowing for everything.
7:41pm
39 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Croatia sloppy. Playing like a team with nothing to play for, which is fairly accurate. Finnbogason robs a sleeping defender, drives forward and shoots just wide.
7:40pm
37 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Best move so far from Croatia. Modric running from deep. But it flounders on the poor decision making from Kramaric.
7:38pm
36 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Perisic with a great run, nobody in the box for him. Hallfredsson stops him.
7:35pm
32 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Iceland is on top now. Here they come down the right. Win a corner. Delivered in. Scramble! Gudmundsson, I think it is, strikes the shot. Blocked by Perisic. Hacked clear by a panicky Croatia.
7:31pm
29 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Croatia had the best of the first 20 but it has been Iceland since. Hallfredsson is chopped down, giving Gylfi Sigurdsson a chance from the freekick. Keeper takes it fairly easily.
7:28pm
26 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Corner for the ice men. And a good one too, deep and well directed. Magnússon gets up and heads wide. Should have done better. He scored v Croatia in qualifying.
7:26pm
23 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Left side on the break looks Iceland's best chance of glory. Magnússon bombs forward from left back, crosses... and wallops Corluka in the face with the ball.
7:23pm
22 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Iceland looking dangerous on the break here.
20m: Birkir is temporarily sent off the pitch to plug his bleeding nose. It’s not for appearances or his health, but because trolls are rumored to grow from the turf wherever a drop of Birkin's blood falls.
7:21pm
Modric pre-match
Luka Modric: Iceland have to deal with this little genius CREDIT: AP PHOTO/NATACHA PISARENKO
7:20pm
19 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Perisic has made good ground down the left but Kramaric is friendless in the area. Need to get a few more in...
Clever corner, flicked in, Perisic is saying that he was impeded as he tried to jump. Another corner, this one more comfortably dealt with.
7:17pm
15 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Iceland temporarily down to ten. Kramaric is looking to dink his way through the massed defenses.
Argentina has taken the lead.
7:14pm
13 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
There is a delay while they sort out poor Bjarnason and the Iceland fans use the opportunity for an HOO!
7:20pm
19 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Perisic has made good ground down the left but Kramaric is friendless in the area. Need to get a few more in...
Clever corner, flicked in, Perisic is saying that he was impeded as he tried to jump. Another corner, this one more comfortably dealt with.
7:17pm
15 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Iceland temporarily down to ten. Kramaric is looking to dink his way through the massed defenses.
Argentina has taken the lead.
7:14pm
13 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
There is a delay while they sort out poor Bjarnason and the Iceland fans use the opportunity for an HOO!
CREDIT: BBC4
Eventually, a bleeding Bjarnason is helped off. His assailant gets a yellow. Don't really understand that. Either red card or no card, for me clive.
7:13pm
10 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Pjaca flails back his elbow and CRUNCHES Bjarnason in the puss. A really horrible contact. Everyone has decided that it was accidental, but I dunno. He really crashed his elbow into the guy's face.
7:09pm
6 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Jedvaj down the right, mop-topped sort of lad who looks a little like Owen Wilson. Pjaca runs down the middle and is, to my eyes, hauled down by Gunnarsson on the edge of the box. The ref does not see it so.
7:07pm
5 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Gylfi Sigurdsson with a chance to show his quality, down the right and across. I had very high hopes for Gylfi 2 years ago, has not quite trained on perhaps but still the class act in this lineup.
7:04pm
3 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Croatia, rightly fearful of Iceland getting up a heady of VIKING WAR STEAM, are taking the sting out of this opening. Good, neat passing. No press from Iceland. Kramaric comes deep, the focal point, but is now harried off the ball.
7:01pm
1 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Iceland, in their white and blue, making a busy start and getting forward. Modric among those Croats tidying up.
7:00pm
Kickoff!
Let's play.
Iceland: Halldorsson, Saevarsson, Ingason, Ragnar Sigurdsson, Magnusson, Gunnarsson, Hallfredsson, Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Bjarnason, Finnbogason. Subs: Schram, Fridjonsson, Albert Gudmundsson, Sigurdarson, Arnason, Eyjolfsson, Olafur Ingi Skulason, Gislason, Traustason, Bodvarsson, Ari Freyr Skulason, Runarsson.
Croatia: Lovre Kalinic, Jedvaj, Corluka, Caleta-Car, Pivaric, Modric, Badelj, Pjaca, Kovacic, Perisic, Kramaric. Subs: Livakovic, Vrsaljko, Strinic, Lovren, Rakitic, Brozovic, Bradaric, Mandzukic, Rebic, Vida, Subasic.
Referee: Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz (Spain)
6:57pm
Here is Matthew Upson on the BBC
"It is effectively a knockout game for Iceland, only a win will do. When you look at their team and how they approach it, I don’t see why they can’t beat Croatia."
6:56pm
It's all a bit complex in terms of who needs what
So this handy guide might be a handy guide.
Croatia has already qualified and would need a remarkable collapse to finish anywhere but the top. The race for second is complicated. Nigeria will definitely qualify if they beat Argentina; if they draw, they will still go through provided Iceland do not beat Croatia or win by more than a two-goal margin. If Iceland and Argentina both win, it would come down to goal difference, with Argentina needing to win by at least one more goal than Iceland to overhaul them. A draw is no good for either of them.
6:45pm
If you're of a sporting persuasion
And why would you not be, then have a look at our betting tips and offers for this match? Betting guide: predictions and tips for Iceland v Croatia >
6:32pm
Croatia NINE changes
Only Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic stay in the XI that beat Argentina.
6:23pm
Iceland vs Croatia teams
Iceland: Halldorsson, Saevarsson, Ingason, Ragnar Sigurdsson, Magnusson, Gunnarsson, Hallfredsson, Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Bjarnason, Finnbogason. Subs: Schram, Fridjonsson, Albert Gudmundsson, Sigurdarson, Arnason, Eyjolfsson, Olafur Ingi Skulason, Gislason, Traustason, Bodvarsson, Ari Freyr Skulason, Runarsson.
Croatia: Lovre Kalinic, Jedvaj, Corluka, Caleta-Car, Pivaric, Modric, Badelj, Pjaca, Kovacic, Perisic, Kramaric. Subs: Livakovic, Vrsaljko, Strinic, Lovren, Rakitic, Brozovic, Bradaric, Mandzukic, Rebic, Vida, Subasic.
Referee: Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz (Spain)
6:21pm
Who to support, then?
Croatia got some lovely players, seem like a decent group. Fans, however, have shown a tendency to be a bit awful. Are already qualified, and (barring something bizarre) are going to go through the top. See permutations here.
Iceland: been there on holiday and it was great. Beat England, which was HILARIOUS. Would be quite funny to see Argentina out. Nigeria was so pathetic in their opening game that they are dead to me. All in all, I'd love Iceland to go through.
Verdict: come to Iceland.
6:14pm
A highlight of the World Cup
6:09pm
Iceland team
The starting army has been named! THE BERG IS BACK. It only took one to sink the Titanic, and this one can move faster. A
6:05pm
Iceland scouting report!
Who are we keeping our eye upon then?
Alfred Finnbogason is the danger man up front. Aron Gunnarsson, the midfield general actually looks like a Viking, puts it about a bit in midfield and can launch a dangerous long throw. Johann Berg Gudmundsson, a talented right-sider who missed the last match, has shown us at Burnley that he is an exciting player with a bit of quality. Ragnar Sigurdsson, the centre-half, is hewn from volcanic rock and is looking to put getting booted in the head in the last match behind him.
6:03pm
Here's the Croatia team
5:56pm
I fancied Croatia
as an outside bet for the tournament but instead went for Portugal at 25/1 each way. The VAR nonsense last night, which meant that Portugal is in the much harder side of the draw, was a pain.
Like Portugal, Croatia has plenty of experience. Croatia also has quality, grown-up players all over the park. They have Modric, whom I have hardly ever seen have a bad game. Alongside Ivan Rakitic, that is a central midfield pair the equal of anything in the tournament, bar (arguably) Spain and Germany.
They normally play a 4-2-3-1 and I think Iceland have really got their work cut out. If Mario Mandzukic was a bit less of a plank up front, I'd say Croatia is as good as anyone on their day.
5:25pm
HOOO! HOOO!
Iceland: what a country, what a people, what an expensive but amazing place to go on holiday. The land of ice deserts, hot springs, and spurting geysers has a population, as we all know by now, of just 14 people, and each and every one of them is looking forward to giving Luka Modric and Croatia a tough, tough match. The smallest nation ever to reach the Finals, 335,000 people are absolutely bang up for this one.
Iceland has passion, teamwork, and excellent support. And they also have plenty of experience of facing this highly talented Croatia side. Iceland's head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson: "We've played Croatia four times in four years, we've often said we're like a married couple - we're trying to get divorced, but we always meet up again."
They had the better of Croatia 1-0 in Reykjavik 12 months ago. But Iceland needs results to go their way this time. The permutations in Group D are as follows.
If Nigeria wins, Iceland is out. If Nigeria score, Iceland need to score at least twice. I suspect we might be hearing the odd HOOO for Argentina as well tonight. The other match, kicking off also at 7pm on the BBC, is Argentina and Nigeria. Surely Argentina and Lionel Messi have to pull their finger out?
The action will take place in the Rostov Arena.
Source:
Eventually, a bleeding Bjarnason is helped off. His assailant gets a yellow. Don't really understand that. Either red card or no card, for me clive.
7:13pm
10 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Pjaca flails back his elbow and CRUNCHES Bjarnason in the puss. A really horrible contact. Everyone has decided that it was accidental, but I dunno. He really crashed his elbow into the guy's face.
7:09pm
6 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Jedvaj down the right, mop-topped sort of lad who looks a little like Owen Wilson. Pjaca runs down the middle and is, to my eyes, hauled down by Gunnarsson on the edge of the box. The ref does not see it so.
7:07pm
5 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Gylfi Sigurdsson with a chance to show his quality, down the right and across. I had very high hopes for Gylfi 2 years ago, has not quite trained on perhaps but still the class act in this lineup.
7:04pm
3 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Croatia, rightly fearful of Iceland getting up a heady of VIKING WAR STEAM, are taking the sting out of this opening. Good, neat passing. No press from Iceland. Kramaric comes deep, the focal point, but is now harried off the ball.
7:01pm
1 mins: Iceland 0 Croatia 0
Iceland, in their white and blue, making a busy start and getting forward. Modric among those Croats tidying up.
7:00pm
Kickoff!
Let's play.
Iceland: Halldorsson, Saevarsson, Ingason, Ragnar Sigurdsson, Magnusson, Gunnarsson, Hallfredsson, Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Bjarnason, Finnbogason. Subs: Schram, Fridjonsson, Albert Gudmundsson, Sigurdarson, Arnason, Eyjolfsson, Olafur Ingi Skulason, Gislason, Traustason, Bodvarsson, Ari Freyr Skulason, Runarsson.
Croatia: Lovre Kalinic, Jedvaj, Corluka, Caleta-Car, Pivaric, Modric, Badelj, Pjaca, Kovacic, Perisic, Kramaric. Subs: Livakovic, Vrsaljko, Strinic, Lovren, Rakitic, Brozovic, Bradaric, Mandzukic, Rebic, Vida, Subasic.
Referee: Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz (Spain)
6:57pm
Here is Matthew Upson on the BBC
"It is effectively a knockout game for Iceland, only a win will do. When you look at their team and how they approach it, I don’t see why they can’t beat Croatia."
6:56pm
It's all a bit complex in terms of who needs what
So this handy guide might be a handy guide.
Croatia has already qualified and would need a remarkable collapse to finish anywhere but the top. The race for second is complicated. Nigeria will definitely qualify if they beat Argentina; if they draw, they will still go through provided Iceland do not beat Croatia or win by more than a two-goal margin. If Iceland and Argentina both win, it would come down to goal difference, with Argentina needing to win by at least one more goal than Iceland to overhaul them. A draw is no good for either of them.
6:45pm
If you're of a sporting persuasion
And why would you not be, then have a look at our betting tips and offers for this match? Betting guide: predictions and tips for Iceland v Croatia >
6:32pm
Croatia NINE changes
Only Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic stay in the XI that beat Argentina.
6:23pm
Iceland vs Croatia teams
Iceland: Halldorsson, Saevarsson, Ingason, Ragnar Sigurdsson, Magnusson, Gunnarsson, Hallfredsson, Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Bjarnason, Finnbogason. Subs: Schram, Fridjonsson, Albert Gudmundsson, Sigurdarson, Arnason, Eyjolfsson, Olafur Ingi Skulason, Gislason, Traustason, Bodvarsson, Ari Freyr Skulason, Runarsson.
Croatia: Lovre Kalinic, Jedvaj, Corluka, Caleta-Car, Pivaric, Modric, Badelj, Pjaca, Kovacic, Perisic, Kramaric. Subs: Livakovic, Vrsaljko, Strinic, Lovren, Rakitic, Brozovic, Bradaric, Mandzukic, Rebic, Vida, Subasic.
Referee: Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz (Spain)
6:21pm
Who to support, then?
Croatia got some lovely players, seem like a decent group. Fans, however, have shown a tendency to be a bit awful. Are already qualified, and (barring something bizarre) are going to go through the top. See permutations here.
Iceland: been there on holiday and it was great. Beat England, which was HILARIOUS. Would be quite funny to see Argentina out. Nigeria was so pathetic in their opening game that they are dead to me. All in all, I'd love Iceland to go through.
Verdict: come to Iceland.
6:14pm
A highlight of the World Cup
6:09pm
Iceland team
The starting army has been named! THE BERG IS BACK. It only took one to sink the Titanic, and this one can move faster. A
6:05pm
Iceland scouting report!
Who are we keeping our eye upon then?
Alfred Finnbogason is the danger man up front. Aron Gunnarsson, the midfield general actually looks like a Viking, puts it about a bit in midfield and can launch a dangerous long throw. Johann Berg Gudmundsson, a talented right-sider who missed the last match, has shown us at Burnley that he is an exciting player with a bit of quality. Ragnar Sigurdsson, the centre-half, is hewn from volcanic rock and is looking to put getting booted in the head in the last match behind him.
6:03pm
Here's the Croatia team
5:56pm
I fancied Croatia
as an outside bet for the tournament but instead went for Portugal at 25/1 each way. The VAR nonsense last night, which meant that Portugal is in the much harder side of the draw, was a pain.
Like Portugal, Croatia has plenty of experience. Croatia also has quality, grown-up players all over the park. They have Modric, whom I have hardly ever seen have a bad game. Alongside Ivan Rakitic, that is a central midfield pair the equal of anything in the tournament, bar (arguably) Spain and Germany.
They normally play a 4-2-3-1 and I think Iceland have really got their work cut out. If Mario Mandzukic was a bit less of a plank up front, I'd say Croatia is as good as anyone on their day.
5:25pm
HOOO! HOOO!
Iceland: what a country, what a people, what an expensive but amazing place to go on holiday. The land of ice deserts, hot springs, and spurting geysers has a population, as we all know by now, of just 14 people, and each and every one of them is looking forward to giving Luka Modric and Croatia a tough, tough match. The smallest nation ever to reach the Finals, 335,000 people are absolutely bang up for this one.
Iceland has passion, teamwork, and excellent support. And they also have plenty of experience of facing this highly talented Croatia side. Iceland's head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson: "We've played Croatia four times in four years, we've often said we're like a married couple - we're trying to get divorced, but we always meet up again."
They had the better of Croatia 1-0 in Reykjavik 12 months ago. But Iceland needs results to go their way this time. The permutations in Group D are as follows.
If Nigeria wins, Iceland is out. If Nigeria score, Iceland need to score at least twice. I suspect we might be hearing the odd HOOO for Argentina as well tonight. The other match, kicking off also at 7pm on the BBC, is Argentina and Nigeria. Surely Argentina and Lionel Messi have to pull their finger out?
The action will take place in the Rostov Arena.
Source:
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