World Cup: Nigeria Loses First Match To Croatia

Croatia's Mandzukic celebrates Etebo’s own goal 

Oghenekaro Etebo’s own goal and a Luka Modric penalty gave Croatia a winning World Cup start against Nigeria in a poor Group D match in Kaliningrad, Russia.

Etebo, who joined Stoke City from Portuguese club Feirense for £6.35m on Monday, turned Modric’s first-half corner into his own net after Ante Rebic and Mario Mandzukic had both got touches.

Modric then converted a 71st-minute penalty – Croatia’s first shot on target – after William Troost-Ekong had manhandled Mandzukic at a corner.

Nigeria offered little attacking threat, although Dejan Lovren blocked Alex Iwobi’s shot just before half-time, and Odion Ighalo glanced a Brian Idowu cross straight at goalkeeper Danijel Subasic.

Victory takes Croatia top of Group D, after Iceland held Argentina 1-1 earlier on Saturday.





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