Broadcast info
Who's playing: Given they're in the toughest quartet at this summer's tournament, both Croatia and Nigeria will be aiming to start their respective campaigns off well as they lock horns on Saturday.
What time: Saturday, June 16th 12:00 PST/15:00 EST/20:00 BST/21:00 CET
What stadium: This game will be played at the Kaliningrad Stadium. Also known as the Arena Baltika, this venue's located in Kaliningrad and holds up to 33.973 fans for the 2018 World Cup.
Which channel:
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Match facts and other stats
- Croatia has won only one of its last seven World Cup games (D2 L4), against Cameroon in the 2014 edition (4-0)
- This will be the first meeting between the Vatreni and the Super Eagles...
- ...but Croatia's only meeting with an African side at the World Cup saw them crush Cameroon 4-0
- However, Croatia have only managed two clean sheets in their last 11 games
- Nigeria, meanwhile, have won just one of their last six games (D1 L4)
Preview
Croatia were shocked during qualifying to finish second behind minnows Iceland, but the Vatreni managed to successfully see off Greece 4-1 on aggregate during the play-offs. The Eastern European nation crashed out at the group stage four years ago and have had mixed fortunes at World Cups since surprising everyone by finishing in third place in 1998.
They've also undergone some managerial changes, with Zlatko Dalic being brought into replace Ante Cacic last year. Although they boast star players like Champions League winners Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Ivan Rakitic, and Mario Mandzukic as well as Inter duo Marcelo Brozovic and Ivan Perisic, Croatia, who are still viewed as some as "dark horses", will be up against a very stern test in Nigeria. Group D, which also contains heavy favorites Argentina and debutants Iceland, is by far the most difficult quartet at this summer's competition, and Dalic's side know that getting a result here can ultimately break or make their tournament.
Nigeria will naturally be feeling the same thing. The Super Eagles also boast their share of notable talents, includin Alex Iwobi, Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho, as well as the experience of John Obi Mikel and Chelsea's speedy Victor Moses. Currently under the leadership of German tactician Gernot Rohr, they come into this game having lost their last two warm-up friendlies. In fact, Nigeria, despite recording an impressive 4-2 win over Argentina last year, they've failed to fire in their recent games, with just one win over Poland in March. Since then, they have lost to England, Serbia, and the Czech Republic, as well as to Atletico Madrid in a special friendly.
Croatia, meanwhile, have alternated between a loss and a win in their last four games, which saw them take on teams all featuring at this summer's World Cup. There were bad results against Peru and Brazil, but they managed to narrowly edge out Senegal and Mexico, so it will be interesting to see how they manage against a Nigeria side who also will be equally hungry for a good result in their tournament opener.
