Match Previews
World Cup 2018
Round Group D
Iceland
Last updated: Tue 26 June 2018 09:29Iceland suffered a 2:0 defeat in the hands of Nigeria. Can go through only if they win and the other game goes their way. Johann Gudmundsson remains a major doubt.
Iceland were unable to build on their famous draw against Argentina, as they succumbed to a 2:0 defeat to Nigeria. It was a game in which Heimir Hallgrímsson's men did have their chances, including a penalty, but were unable to convert them.
Iceland are third in their group table going into the final round, leading Argentina on goal-difference. Only a win over Croatia gives them a chance of going through, but they will also need the result of the other game to go their way. If Nigeria beat Argentina, they are out regardless of the result they get against Croatia.
Johan Gudmundsson had to be taken off in the Argentina game after suffering an injury and did not feature against Nigeria. He remains a major doubt.
Apart from the winger, Hallgrimsson has no other selection concerns going into his side's possibly final game of the competition.
Given that this is Iceland's first-ever World Cup participation, this will be their final chance in at least four years to claim their first-ever World Cup win.
Croatia
Last updated: Tue 26 June 2018 09:29Croatia are coming from a famous 3:0 win over Argentina. Already through and need a point to be certain of topping the group. Rotation is likely, with players who have bookings particularly likely to be rested.
Croatia are coming from arguably the best result in their recent footballing history, as they crushed Argentina with a 3:0 scoreline. A howler by Argentine keeper Willy Caballero gifted them the opener, but nothing should be taken away from Zlatko Dalic's men, who were impressive throughout.
The Blazers have won both of their opening two games and are therefore certain to progress to the knock-out stage. A point from the upcoming game would be enough for them to top the group regardless of the outcome of the Nigeria-Argentina match.
Dalic has already stated that he will ring the changes in this one, with players who picked up bookings particularly likely to get a breather. The players in question are Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Rakitic, Marcelo Brozovic, Sime Vrsaljko, Ante Rebic and Vedran Corluka.
The Croatian national team boss has no new selection issues to deal with.
Croatia were drawn with Iceland in their qualifying group for the World Cup. They won one and lost one of their meetings and finished second in the group.
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4-4-2 Previous Line Ups
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| H. Halldorsson | |||
| B. Saevarsson | |||
| R. Sigurdsson | |||
| K. Arnason | |||
| H. Magnusson | |||
| R. Gislason | |||
| G. Sigurdsson | |||
| A. Gunnarsson | |||
| B. Bjarnason | |||
| J. Bodvarsson | |||
| A. Finnbogason |
4-2-3-1 Previous Line Ups
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| D. Subasic | |||
| J. Pivaric | |||
| D. Lovren | |||
| D. Vida | |||
| I. Strinic | |||
| M. Kovacic | |||
| L. Modric | |||
| M. Badelj | |||
| M. Pjaca | |||
| A. Kramaric | |||
| I. Perisic |
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| R. Runarsson | |||
| F. Schram | |||
| S. Fridjonsson | |||
| A. Skulason | |||
| H. Eyjolfsson | |||
| S. Ingason | |||
| J. Gudmundsson | |||
| O. Skulason | |||
| A. Traustason | |||
| E. Hallfredsson | |||
| B. Sigurdarson | |||
| A. Gudmundsson |
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| L. Kalinic | |||
| D. Livakovic | |||
| V. Corluka | |||
| S. Vrsaljko | |||
| T. Jedvaj | |||
| D. Caleta-Car | |||
| I. Rakitic | |||
| M. Brozovic | |||
| F. Bradaric | |||
| M. Mandzukic | |||
| A. Rebic |
Croatia
Last updated: Tue 26 June 2018 09:29Croatia are coming from a famous 3:0 win over Argentina. Already through and need a point to be certain of topping the group. Rotation is likely, with players who have bookings particularly likely to be rested.
Croatia are coming from arguably the best result in their recent footballing history, as they crushed Argentina with a 3:0 scoreline. A howler by Argentine keeper Willy Caballero gifted them the opener, but nothing should be taken away from Zlatko Dalic's men, who were impressive throughout.
The Blazers have won both of their opening two games and are therefore certain to progress to the knock-out stage. A point from the upcoming game would be enough for them to top the group regardless of the outcome of the Nigeria-Argentina match.
Dalic has already stated that he will ring the changes in this one, with players who picked up bookings particularly likely to get a breather. The players in question are Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Rakitic, Marcelo Brozovic, Sime Vrsaljko, Ante Rebic and Vedran Corluka.
The Croatian national team boss has no new selection issues to deal with.
Croatia were drawn with Iceland in their qualifying group for the World Cup. They won one and lost one of their meetings and finished second in the group.
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| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| D. Subasic | |||
| J. Pivaric | |||
| D. Lovren | |||
| D. Vida | |||
| I. Strinic | |||
| M. Kovacic | |||
| L. Modric | |||
| M. Badelj | |||
| M. Pjaca | |||
| A. Kramaric | |||
| I. Perisic |
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| L. Kalinic | |||
| D. Livakovic | |||
| V. Corluka | |||
| S. Vrsaljko | |||
| T. Jedvaj | |||
| D. Caleta-Car | |||
| I. Rakitic | |||
| M. Brozovic | |||
| F. Bradaric | |||
| M. Mandzukic | |||
| A. Rebic |