An own-goal by Nigerian midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo in the 32nd minute and a penalty gift from William Ekong to Luka Modric in the second half sealed a 2-0 win for Croatia in their first group game. The night’s outcome fired the Europeans straight into top-spot after Iceland held Lionel Messi’s Argentina to a 1-1 draw in the opening Group D game.
The uniqueness of Croatia’s win is highlighted in the fact that it is their first-ever win in an opening group game at the World Cup since 1998. The team which last achieved this feat had the legendary Davor Suker in their ranks and ended up finishing that edition of the international tournament as second runners-up.
Fast-forwarding to now, Croatia will take on Argentina on June 21 in their second game before they wrap things up against Iceland on June 26 as they aim to replicate the feat of their predecessors.
