25/12/2024

Iceland vs Croatia live World Cup score and goal updates

Martes 26 de Junio del 2018

Iceland vs Croatia live World Cup score and goal updates

Don't miss a kick as we bring you all the latest action, pictures and video from the Group D showdown at the Rostov Arena

Don't miss a kick as we bring you all the latest action, pictures and video from the Group D showdown at the Rostov Arena

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Iceland take on Croatia in the Group D finale this evening knowing only a win will give them a chance of progression to the last 16.

The Scandinavians sit three points behind Nigeria but victory over already-qualified Croatia, coupled with a win for Argentina over Nigeria, will see them reach the knockout stages.

Croatia are assured of top spot barring an extremely unlikely swing of goals after an impressive campaign so far which has seen them see off Nigeria and Argentina without conceding.

Croatia lost 1-0 to Iceland in a World Cup qualifier and had to go through the playoffs to reach the finals so they will be taking nothing for granted despite speculation that coach Zlatko Dalic could field a second-string team.

"I don't care what other teams are saying. We mind our own business. What other are commenting, that's their business," Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic said.

And he picked Luka Modric in a strong starting XI.

You can follow all the action from Rosto-on-Don LIVE right here.

TEAMS

Iceland: Halldórsson, Saevarsson, Ingason, R.Sigurdsson, Magnússon, Bjarnason, Gunnarsson, Hallfredsson, Gudmundsson, Finnbogason, G.Sigurdsson.

Croatia: Kalinić, Ćorluka, Jedvaj, Ćaleta-Car, Pivarić, Kovačić, Modrić, Badelj, Perišić, Kramarić, Pjaca.

See the latest in-play odds with Betfair - click here

Sigurdsson pushed into more advanced role for Iceland

There are two changes for Iceland as Burnley winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson replaces Rurik Gislason.

Striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson drops to the bench as Udinese midfielder Emil Hallfredsson comes in.

Star man Gylfi Sigurdsson of Everton moved into a more forward role.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Modric named in Croatia team

And now both sides have named their teams. And Modric is in...

Iceland name their team

Will Modric be rested for Iceland clash?

Croatia know Iceland far too well to be over concerned about calculations regarding the outcome of World Cup Group D as they aim to secure top spot with at least a draw at the Rostov Arena on Tuesday.

The Balkan side shone in victories over Nigeria and Argentina to qualify for the last 16 and they will finish first if they avoid losing to Iceland.

Croatia lost 1-0 to Iceland in a World Cup qualifier and had to go through the playoffs to reach the finals so they will be taking nothing for granted despite speculation that coach Zlatko Dalic could field a second-string team.

“I don’t care what other teams are saying. We mind our own business. What other are commenting, that’s their business,” Dalic told a news conference on Monday.

“If Croatia had been in another situation nobody would have minded so we’re going to do just that: mind our own business,” he added, refusing to give a hint on his starting 11 - notably whether key playmaker Luka Modric would be rested. “It is not nice to say we have a reserve team. This is the Croatian national squad, all my players are going to play the same way they played against Nigeria and Argentina.”

Croatia are hoping to emulate the previous golden generation of players who reached the World Cup semi-finals in France 20 years ago. “We want to beat Iceland to stay top of our group. We have our own style of play and we are going to stick to it while being watchful on their long balls and set pieces,” Dalic said. “We know everything about Iceland and they know everything about us.”

Croatia's players in training
(Image: AFP)

Hallgrimsson bullish over Iceland's chances

Iceland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson has described the nation as having “optimism in the genes” ahead of Tuesday’s attempt to make the last 16 of the World Cup.

The 51-year-old has also emphasised he is in no doubt that pulling off the feat would rank as the biggest success in Icelandic football history.

Tuesday evening’s concluding round of Group D fixtures sees Iceland, who are at a World Cup finals for the first time, face already-qualified leaders Croatia, while Argentina take on Nigeria.

And Iceland need a win to have any chance of progressing - they are third in the group with one point, the same amount as Argentina and two fewer than second-placed Nigeria.

Hallgrimsson’s men held Argentina to a 1-1 draw in their opener before losing 2-0 to Nigeria.

He said at his pre-match press conference, streamed on FIFA’s website, ahead of the Croatia clash in Rostov-on-Don: “If it’s the Eurovision Song Contest we always think we’re going to win it.

“It’s the same here - we think we’re going to win all the games. And even if we lose we think we’re going to win the next one. I think it is in the genes - optimism.”

When then asked what will happen in Iceland if the team manage to qualify, Hallgrimsson said: “Then Icelanders will think we are going to be world champions because they are so optimistic!

“Just to put the question into context...for nations like Argentina, Portugal, Germany, it would be a kind of, not a disgrace, but at least a shock not to qualify for the final 16.

“I would say it would be the biggest success in our football history if we qualify for the last 16 in the World Cup.

“So that’s just to put it into context - how much it would mean to us and how much of an achievement that would be for the players.”

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 03: Heimir Hallgrimsson head coach of Iceland is seen prior to the UEFA EURO 2016 quarter final match between France and Iceland at Stade de France on July 3, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
(Image: Mike Hewitt)

Hello and welcome to live text commentary of the Group D match between Iceland and Croatia at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

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