Croatia continued their impressive World Cup campaign by finishing off Group D with a perfect record, that came at the expense of Iceland's World Cup dream.
Coming into the match in Rostov group leaders Croatia made nine changes whilst Iceland knew they had to win, possibly by at least two, in order to stand any chance of progressing.
And whilst the other result in the group fell their way, with Argentina beating Nigeria 2-1, they failed to hold up their end of the bargain, as they were denied regularly either by Croatia keeper Lovre Kalinić or their own profligacy.
Alfred Finnbogason of Iceland slides in and catches Lovre Kalinic goalkeeper of Croatia during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Iceland and Croatia at Rostov Arena on June 26, 2018 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia.
Image credit: Getty Images
Iceland fell behind when Milan Badelj fired home a loose ball on the volley having rattled the crossbar moments earlier, but they levelled thanks to a penalty from Gylfi Sigurdsson, who showed no nerves having missed from the spot against Nigeria.
However they couldn't find a second goal and they were caught on the counter when Ivan Perisic's shot beat Hannes Halldórsson's wrists in the Iceland goal.
It means that Croatia go through to face Denmark with nine points and they are joined by Argentina who will face France.
TALKING POINT
Plucky Iceland will be back again, but they need to find a striker. Despite having less than 40% of the ball Iceland managed 17 shots, partly coming from ten corners. They created plenty of chances with the over-lapping full-backs and Sigurdsson in the middle of the park but they couldn't find a goal. Alfred Finnbogason is a fine striker but after his heroics two years ago he hasn't been able to give Iceland the goals they need. Substitute Albert Guðmundsson is certainly one to keep an eye on in the coming years as Iceland look towards 2020 and 2022. Don't be mistaken though, they will return to the world's biggest stage.
Iceland's midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson reacts at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group D football match between Iceland and Croatia at the Rostov Arena in Rostov-On-Don on June 26, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
MAN OF THE MATCH
Lovre Kalinic (Croatia): Coming in for the experienced Danijel Subašić, Kalinic showed exactly why he is so highly rated. The 28-year-old, who was voted the best keeper in Belgium this year, made a number of crucial stops, most noticeably from corners, and he wasn't afraid to come and challenge for the ball in the air. Subasic is far from finished at the age of 33 but before too long the national team will rightly look towards Kalinic.
Croatia's goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic (R) blocks a shot on goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group D football match between Iceland and Croatia at the Rostov Arena in Rostov-On-Don on June 26, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS:
Iceland - Halldórsson 4, Sævarsson 5, Ingason 6, R. Sigurdsson 5, Magnússon 6, Gunnarsson 6, Hallfredsson 6, Gudmundsson 5, G. Sigurdsson 7, Bjarnason 6, Finnbogason 5. Subs: Sigurdarson 5, Traustason 5, Gudmundsson 5
Croatia - Kalinic 8, Jedvaj 5, Corluka 6, Caleta-Car 5, Pivaric 5, Badelj 7, Modric 6, Kovacic 6, Pjaca 6, Perisic 7, Kramaric 5. Subs: Bradarić 5, Lovren 4, Rakitic 5
KEY MOMENTS
40' - CHANCE! That was nearly it for Iceland. Finnbogason does well to win the ball back (Croatia think it's a foul) and he unleashes a first-time shot after a one-two with Sigurdsson. Narrowly wide.
45+1' - CHANCE! The corner is a good one and Kalinic can only parry it under pressure from Ingason. Bjarnason strikes the loose ball but Kalinic combines well with a defender to save.
53' - GOAL! ICELAND 0-1 CROATIA (BADELJ) He's now put Croatia ahead! The group leaders capitalise on their best spell of the match as a cross bounced up in the box and Badelj runs on from midfield and hammers home.
Croatia's midfielder Milan Badelj celebrates after scoring a goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group D football match between Iceland and Croatia at the Rostov Arena in Rostov-On-Don on June 26, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
76' - GOAL! CROATIA 1-1 ICELAND (SIGURDSSON) He missed his last one against Nigeria but he's calmly put that into the top corner. Excellent from the talisman.
90' - GOAL! ICELAND 1-2 CROATIA (PERISIC) Heartbreak. The end of Iceland's World Cup hopes but Croatia are set to win all three World Cup group games for the first time ever. Perisic gets down the left and smashes the ball into the corner. Question marks over Halldórsson though.
KEY STATS
- Croatia win all three of their World Cup group games for the first time.
- Mateo Kovacic did not misplace a single pass during his 80 minutes on the pitch against Iceland:
- There have now been 17 penalties scored at the 2018 World Cup, equalling the record from the 1998 tournament.
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