CROATIA - ICELAND 2:0 (1:0)
2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying, Group I.
Maksimir Stadium, Zagreb.
Referee: G. Rocchi (ITA)
Goals: 1:0 - Brozović (15'), 2:0 - Brozović (90+1')
Cautions: E. Bjarnason (19'), Badelj (39'), Vida (75')
Sent off: Perišić (90+4')
Croatia: Subašić, Pivarić, Vida, Ćorluka, Vrsaljko, Badelj, Kovačić (46' Modrić), Brozović, Rakitić (85' Kramarić), Perišić, Mandžukić (90+2' Čop). Head coach: A. Čačić.
Iceland: Halldorsson, Saevarsson, R. Sigurdsson, Gudmundsson, B. Bjarnason, G. Sigurdsson, Arnason, Gunarsson, E. Bjarnason (75' Traustason), Magnusson, Bodvarsson (75' Kjartansson). Head coach: H. Hallgrimson.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Croatia hosted Iceland at Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb, behind closed doors, in the clash of two top teams in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying Group I.
Following a couple of early actions on both sides, Croatia took the lead after 15 minutes, when Brozović combined with Rakitić to find some space for a shot just outside of the box, and managed to beat Iceland goalkeeper.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
The closing minutes of the first half offered more excitement, with Perišić in two very promising opportunities, and Gunnarsson and E. Bjarnason threatening in front of Croatian goal. However, goalkeepers Halldorsson and Subašić provided two great saves.
Croatia captain Modrić entered the field at half-time, while Perišić and Brozović tried their shots only for Iceland to reply with a counterattack that Bodvarsson nearly finished off.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Modrić, Perišić, and Vida all came close to scoring a second for Croatia between 69th and 73rd minute, but Croatia victory was finally sealed into the added time.
Brozović did the majority of the work, ran through the middle and once again found the way past Halldorsson from the edge of the box to make it 2:0. In the final seconds, Perišić was sent off for a foul on B. Bjarnason.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Turkey defeated Kosovo at home 2:0, and Ukraine beat Finland 1:0. On Sunday, the Vatreni travel to Belfast for a Northern Ireland friendly, and continue their qualifying campaign in March 2017 against Ukraine.
2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying, Group I:
1. Croatia 10 (4)
2. Ukraine 8 (4)
3. Iceland 7 (4)
4. Turkey 5 (4)
5. Finland 1 (4)
6. Kosovo 1 (4)
