Argentina are now in Croatia’s rearview mirror.
Looking forward to Tuesday’s Group D finale against Iceland, the Vatreni already know that they are all but certain to top the group, even if they lose to Iceland, read full scenario here.
With that in mind, there’s a few housekeeping items Croatia manager Zlatko Dalić will tend to. He has already stated that any player already on a yellow card will not play vs. Iceland. Accumulating two yellows in the World Cup forces a player to be suspended for the next match. Marcelo Brozović picked up yellows versus Nigeria and Argentina; therefore he is already suspended for the Iceland match.
Ivan Rakitić was cautioned against Nigeria and Šime Vrsaljko, Ante Rebić, Mario Mandžukić and Vedran Ćorluka saw yellow vs. Argentina. The next time either of these players receive a card; they would miss the next match.
Here is the one exception:
“A player’s yellow card count from the group stage carries over into the knockout rounds. There is a reset for the semifinals. This is a measure designed to keep players from being suspended from the final for yellow accumulation. Of course, any red card infractions in the semifinal — whether a straight red or earning a pair of yellows — would still see a player banned from the final.”
Rebić, Mandžukić, Rakitić and Vrsaljko have all been key starters for Croatia this World Cup. For any of them to be suspended for an entire match at any point during the tournament would hinder the team.
Here is what Sporske Novosti is proposing for the Iceland match:
Send the kids out there alongside Kramarić and Perišić. You rest Luka Modrić and keep your yellow carded players safe. Unless Nigeria defeat Argentina by three or four goals, this game against Iceland should be considered a friendly.
There’s still four more games and lots of obstacles to get to the promised land. No need to be greedy and get any of your starters in trouble for the stretch run.
[…] With that said, Croatia manager Zlatko Dalić will be treating the group finale against Iceland as a friendly match in order to rest starters and players currently on yellow cards; which means the “B” squad will be in full force. […]
Thank you all so much! Iran will returned next time more powerful. I hope Croatia defeat his hard work and win the cup. and I hope you all be proud and happy. as now you are proud. you must be proud because your natural team is greatest all around the world.
about Iran you must know it that we haven’t supplement and Iranian government doesn’t want Iranian victory really, because they fear of people in the street this days. and this Iran team has lost all fifa days.
long tale. I’ll worship to Croatia. because it is team. because it shows real football. because stars in your team. I’ll worship to Croatia because of Branco in my beloved Perspolis. and because of you cool brothers.
Excuse me if I wrote mistakeful in English.
Our Heart will beat with your legendary team.
best regards
If Iran scored in that last minute chance, Croatia would have been potentially lined up to meet the winner of Iran-Russia to reach the semi-finals.
As it is, Spain will have trouble with Russia. Spain has given up 5 goals in group action.
The luck lining up for Croatia in this Cup looks better than in 1998, but, keeping the momentum going after the Iceland match is the key.
Would be nice to play Portugal again for hopeful redemption
Spain or Portugal 95 percent likely opponent
Unless Russian corruption wins them that match
In which case, it would likely win them our match as well
Would rather play Portugal over Spain
France to rest 5 starters though, so don’t rule out facing them in the next round
Ok, our path got potentially easier.
– since we will likely top our group we play winner of Russia vs (Portugal or Spain or Iran) AFTER we play the 2nd place team in group C. This is better than having Uruguay in our path.
@Mohsen- I hope Iran beats Portugal, and spain ties. We would love to play the winner of Iran vs Russia. It would be a great honor.
Moshen, respect brother!
Ya man
Iran to knock out Portugal!! I doubt it but would be cool
Was it provocation to Germany when France played their National Anthem following the liberation of occupied France?
Why is it provocative for a player to be proud of their heritage… seriously, can someone explain FIFAs side on this?
Thank you Mohsen. I’m pulling for Iran to beat Portugal today, I think they could surprise them with their organization and mental toughness! Good luck
Thank you Mohsen…merci!!
Hi everyone. I am Persian, and I won a bit because of my idea of Croatia wins 3-0 against Argentina. you now, I was a kid when the amazing Croatia 98 was in the field. and in Iran we have very good Croatian coaches.
I search for a website to say this: I hope your great team be the champion of the world cup and cleans this sadness of mine that is from Euro 2016. when Portugal defeat Croatia not by good playing.
I hope Croatia win this World Cup. this team can do it. this is my dream after dream of Iran victory.
be proud
long live Croatia.
Iranians send regards
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7iV94IBDM4
😀
Zlatko Dalic playing Ciro formation or style. Do you guys think because its 20 year anniversary of the 3rd place team that we will get favourable calls and have a Hollywood ending.
Mamić brought us these players, and Dalić is uniting them.
Perfect combo!
Personally, it was beautiful to watch the 2 Swiss players celebrating.
However, i’m sadly predicting FIFA will hand them both at least a 1 game suspension.
I just keep thinking back to the unjust ban handed out to Legenda Joe Simunic. I never thought this was possible,
Based on above, I simply don’t see how FIFA will overlook this one, hence will find it very easy to link provocation etc given it was a world cup match in front of both sets of fans.
Serbs must be beside themselves these days 🙂
The best posts flying around these days are the Vatreni in their Black playing kits, with the caption “Tko to reka Jeba li ga caca, Da Se Crna Legija ne vraca’
Za Dom Spremni!
We just need to be positive. Things are looking ok for us. This team has somehow united, something many of us weren’t so convinced was gonna happen. When Dalic was initially introduced, he was immediately considered another Mamic guy and yet, he’s done something no coach has done for us in years….he’s brought unity, extremely disciplined play on the field, hard work to the level we have never seen before, Modric has demonstrated a level of leadership we never knew he had…
Krama is a great player but he also has challenges. Let’s just hope we continue this form and I hope Perisic can step it up one level!
I am not going to argue Mandzukic vs Kramaric bc they are both good, and haven’t different skill sets.
I will say, everyone keeps saying Mandzukics miss was an easy goal. Yes, he needs to get that header on goal, but from that angle and the goalie positioned where he was, the success rate is less than 40%. Argentina’s sitters were more pathetic, and nobody is criticizing our defense for giving them up.
Mandzukic is O.K. I think he’s overrated. He hustles and can score from within the 6 yard box. Other than that, what else can he do. Defend???
Kramaric can do even more. He is potent with his head, inside the box, he can dribble, shoot accurately from anywhere, cross the ball, set up players, and he’s no slouch either.
Perfectly said Slavonac
There’s a reason he’s a regular starter for juventus
Not many strikers match his hustle
We scored 5 goals, shoulda been 6 though.
Mandzukic missed a sitter, easier to score than miss. With that said, I watched Lewandowski today, he’s practically walking most of the time and has shown little fight for his team. Messi roams all game, Thomas Muller wants every ball served to him, Kane has had two super easy opponents and two of his goals came from pk’s.
In the meantime we scored 4 goals in two games. Some of you fucks seem to find a reason to complain no matter what! Mandzukic has been working tirelessly and instead of giving the guy props, you talk about his easy miss.
I’m gonna take a wild guess and say you’ve never played a team sport at any decent level! Every day I see ridiculous comments and I scratch my head wondering how some of your parents raised you to be so Gaddamn hate filled and miserable!
We are doing ok, if this upsets you then go pound a sheep and get the fuck lost!
In any case,. Many of you on this site ate always so focused on tearing Croatians apart. It’s important in these moments of success to stick together and cross our fingers for some luck in this tournament
“Mandzukic will miss a shot”
-Truth Troll
Tell us more oh oracle of the cryatal glass football! Your predictive abilities are as unmatched as your Troll status!
Some words on Cro from French:
http://www.marca.com/en/world-cup/2018/06/24/5b2fd328e5fdea47788b456f.html
@ lika Joey
You reference lika in your name so i imagine you’re not great at reading. I characterized rebic goal as a magnificent strike but it came in broken action as predicted
Likewise mandzukic blew a sitter as i also predicted
Looking forward to seeing some of these younger guys play. Although i had warned Croatia had too few midfielders on this team. Assuming you don’t want to play modric, rakitic, or brozovic in this next game, will be a bit thin
Maradona was a cheat he would be red carded under the new video review system for his handball.
Truth, Croatia 2018 are a better squad then Argentina period. There goalie did screw up…but the timing and technique Rebic displayed in that finish was world class… That wasn’t your little gift of a tap in.
Truth, you have to be the most clueless person in regards to soccer on this site! Dude you were the one that got picked last in school in gym class. Dude before i wanted to slap you…know I’m just laughing at you!
Don’t bash Iceland. They were the first nation to recognize Hrvatska’s independence
Does anyone know anything about Bradarić?
Best posters on this site .. bobby v, poglavnik, iggy, Toronto Croatia … with dishonorable mention to the trolls
Well my claims were pretty specific here. Rebic would sneak one in and mandzukic would mess up some sitters
I suppose you wanted me to predict that the Argentine goalie would screw up in the 60th minute and rebic would bag a one time volley?
Truth Troll is only right with revisionist claims after the fact, and broadly general claims before games that cover all possibilities. Like I weather man that every day clsims, “it might rain somewhere in the area, or it might not”; then the next day he declares, “I was right again!”, no matter what the weather was
Man Cilic just beat Djokovic to win the Queens final and Coric beat Federer to win in Halle.
Just gets better and better!
“Unless Nigeria defeat Argentina by three or four goals, this game against Iceland should be considered a friendly”. The matches are played at the same time, so how the hell can we treat it as a friendly without knowing the result of the other game beforehand, other than a halftime update
Damn that Truth is always right..
That’s what can happen when you dont have a bunch of TV’s to fix! 😉
Dalic is absolutely right. Whether you win or lose, have the decency to shake the guys hand across from you. And now the Argentines are crying that Dalic is showing no sportsmanship by not starting a full power squad against Iceland. That’s called karma my friends. You wanna be a dick in life, one will find its way up your ass sooner or later.
@ frajer
I did comment. It was a really enjoyable game. The kind of game that finally rewards us fans for sticking with and following the team so long
But it’s still a bit of a deceptive game. In terms of analyzing quality goal opportunities created, none of Croatia goals really came from them
Rebic goal was an Argentina blunder and a magnificent strike
Modric was a magnificent strike unlikely to be repeated
And rakitic goal was just a give up by Argentina
Ultimately my predictions looked correct. I said Croatia was most likely to score on rebic sneaking one in
I also said we’d regret kramaric not being on the finishing end up service and that was very true too
Hats off to dalic for really outcoaching Argentina. And undercover man of the match candidate brozovic for a tactically brilliant performance
He was much better suited in that roll than attacking or on the wing
A couple more of those performances and his bozovic nickname may be removed
https://www.101greatgoals.com/news/croatia-boss-dalic-slams-argentinas-jorge-sampaoli-he-will-never-be-a-big-coach/amp/
@ Poglavnik
I thought inconsequential tennis updates are Iggy’s domain?
Now he is going to focus his insecurities on the Vatreni!
Just kidding Iggy, you are my main Aussie.
@ Lika Joey
Perišić needs to come off.
Full respect to the Kramaric crew .. but I am with Slavonac from Canada that Perišić is the Real X factor if we are going to shock the World and win this thing.
Let him take all the free kicks.
I want to se him take on the left flank and turn his marker around and fire in a golasso.
I personally would love nothing more than to see those sore losers, classless pieces of shit go home, that overrated pussy, Messi , these stars nowadays, are nowhere near the players of the past, Pele, Maradona, Beckenbauer, Maldini, Ronaldinho, Eusebio, Cafu, Cruyf, nowadays itsall about pushing stars to make money, huge money involved, and half these kids and adults but into all this bullshit , they are brainwashed. Do you guys actually think Messi is better than Iniesta in his prime? No way. I’d like to see those primadonnas run up and down the pitch to help on defense and create everything up front. And the best part is when the media make a big deal out of them scoring on a penalty kick!! My god
I’m gonna beat Iggy to it;
Coric beat Federer in some final!!
@CRO Jersey King
Yes, but those people who watch WWE are stupid & uneducated.
I hope Kramaric scores 3 goals to prove to Dalic what many have been saying for a long time; Kramaric is better than Mandzukic!!!
Croatians LOVE conspiracy theories. Jersey King REALLY loves them.
I’m surprised Perisic isn’t getting a break.
Ok Brkic people still watch WWE.
Why watch if you think the whole thing is fixed? Enough with that already. We’ve seen the dozen posts so you can stop repeating yourself.
@ Toronto Croatia
Depth is our greatest strength.
Going into second round with full healthy first team.
Rested Modrić and Rakitić is unbelievable!
Front 4 against Iceland have an opportunity of a lifetime.
No pressure to produce and all the incentive to perform at their personal best.
I also like Lovren and Vida rested as well.
Ćorluka needs a run out and let’s see what Čaleta Car can do at this level.
Jedvaj needs return to a positive place as well.
Badelj needs to be ready in the knock out rounds.
Spinning our way boys!
I agree Iggy
Iceland would never throw a match. Iceland is the least corrupt nation out there. they kicked out the bankers. they fought fishing wars against the UK to protect their sea. they refused to let the US or Russia use there island as a base. They do what is best for their people always
When it comes to the beautiful game though, us croats can school them
Nigeria played well against Iceland thats why they won. If nigeria continue to improve then of course they can and will beat argentina. Croatia has broken the argies
Good thing Cilic and Coric are doing well
Happy with the paragraphs?
Im honestly expecting Nigeria to beat Argentina now
Think how we’re playing so well and still haven’t seen Kramaric light it up yet …which we know he can. It all just adds to the depth of the team.
I also still have a lot of faith in Pjaca …and if Kovacic wants other clubs to take further notice of him then expect him keep performing harder on the big stage.
It’s all positive signs moving forward
Of course Argentina is going through thats the reason why Iceland layed down to Nigeria. Do you honestly think they would have Messi going home in the group stages.Its all about Messi and Ronaldo. Most of the analysts have said the Croatia win was the best team performance.
New York Hrvati… With Scorpio bar being closed where is the new spot to watch Croatia in the World Cup?
I agree with the bearded fellow on the postgame show.
I also think the panel has never functioned better than it did in it’s last episode!
I’m looking forward to seeing our B side against Iceland. It’s important for our starters to get some rest.
I think the B players will be very hungry, and will give 120% effort. For the following reasons:
-For most, this is the only time they will be on the field in the WC. So they will want to make it count with a great performance.
-They will also want to prove themselves to Dalic, in the event one of the starters gets injured/cards–that they be the one selected as a replacement.
-Some players looking for a big performance to help them to the next club of their career (especially Badelj, Kovacic, Bradaric, Pjaca).
So I think there is plenty of hunger and motivation in the B team.
I also wanna give a shout out to Croatia’s Defense. They’ve allowed ZERO goals–being more stingy than a Baba living on a pension! Only Croatia and Urguay have conceded no goals in the tourney.
I’m hoping we shut out Iceland. Keeping clean sheets in the group stage would be historic for us.
Frajer ,we still have not had that hard nothing is working grind out game…we get past that and we are in the final. I’m afraid of knock out games like…Portugal and Turkey…in the euro.
A loan spell would be perfect for Kovacic. Gets him more playing time and if all goes well he returns to take Luka’s role in a few years.
Also, saw that Srna signed for Cagliari in Serie A, but can’t play until August bc of suspension.
You’re assuming Argentina gets through?
I dont assume that; i think Nigeria is looking the goods tbh
Have no fear of France.
We go it going on right about now.
Modrić and crew rested for second round.
Others get opportunity to shine.
22 man squad is feeling good.
@Cro Jersey King-
1) why’d you change from King Bronk?
2) Favorite thing about the Kovacic story is he said his number 1 priority was to start for the National team, and he wants a transfer so he can play more, hence stay primed for National team duties. Love it.
@Horvat-I mentioned France might tank against Denmark but Ante K said I was crazy. Can guarantee you they would rather play us than Argentina. They will know before their game the brackets for Groups A& B.
Of the possible combinations, assuming Argentina win, if they are presented with option A, you better believe they will tank on purpose:
a) Croatia then Russia Vs Portugal winner
b) Croatia then Russia vs Spain winner
c) Argentina then Russia vs Portugal winner
d) Argentina then Portugal vs Uraguay winner
e) ….etc
Just realized we are still undefeated in the second game of major tournaments:
Euro 96- 3-0 over Denmark
WC 98- 1-0 over Japan
WC 02- 2-1 over Italy
Euro 04- 2-2 with France
WC 06- 0-0 with Japan
Euro 08- 2-1 over Germany
Euro 12- 1-1 with Italy
WC 14- 4-0 over Cameroon
Euro 16- 2-2 with Czech Republic
WC 18- 3-0 over Argentina
On a separate note, I’ve been looking forward to post game analysis from both Truth and Turkey the last few days. I can’t imagine why they might not be inclined to comment.
@Iberico jamon
More than one Kalinic on the team, Einstein.
Wakanda is complaining about us resting our A guys.
To bad we earned it.
Kovacic wants to leave Real Madrid due to lack of playing time.
Sweden, Mexico and Germany play for 1st and 2nd next game….what a tough group!
@Iberico jamon
It’s Lovre Kalinic, the GK, not Nikolina. She got sent home.
Does anyone think France might deliberately lose to Denmark in order to have an easier root to the finals?
Kalinic was booted from the team dumbass.
Also Cilic def Kyrgios and is into the final @ Queens vs Djokovic
Also Coric is into the final at Halle vs Fed
man what a time to be Croatian!
DUDES WE DID IT !
It’s like 1998 all over ! 😀
We can afford to play our Z team now cos i think we already won the group so who cares about Iceland tbh lol
As I posted- we have so many quality kids coming up- let them lose against Iceland- depth like this could be critical as you get to the final 16- soccer is a physical beat down as the tournament continues-
Lets see what we have on this stage- one of these backups can be the main guy down the road- i say Kovacic is going to be important to get to the finish- dare I say the FINAL
Horvat, I agree about Brekalo
Josip Brekalo highlights for this season. What a shame he was not called up. I bet he’s better than Pjaca right now! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kLC-u-gMUNo
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5875553/amp/JAMIE-REDKNAPP-Luka-Modric-best-midfielder-world.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5873637/amp/Croatian-fans-wild-Zagreb-watching-Argentina-victory.html?ico=amp_articleRelated
Lol thanks Lika Joey …good lookin out
Kovačić is the goods.
He had his Modrić and Zidane tutorials..
Now it is time lead his own team!
In a way, I would kinda like it if we sent France a nice little Round of 16 opponent in Argentina.
Kovacic:
http://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2018/06/23/5b2dfce122601de60e8b4674.html
Toronto Croatia, that article on the building in Dubai is incredible!!! WOW! Support 81downtown Toronto brate!
idk guys, this is a similar lineup we had when we got trashed by estonia
I’m hearing a lot of casual fans say that Iceland was overhyped and questioning why there so much focus on them. Although they had a bad showing against Nigeria, drawing Argentina was a huge result and they had an excellent run over the last 3 years. Not to mention, those Vikings have shown way more heart than Argentina or Nigeria, so they have my respect. This was arguably the toughest group, so if they beat whatever team we put out, they deserve it.
As BZ said, Nigeria is the only other team in the group that controls their destiny, so they should just beat Argentina if they think they deserve it more.
Mad respect on twitter for Dalic from his former team and fans in the Middle East. He posted a “thank you” along with those pics of the buildings lit up in our colors. There are dozens, if not hundreds of replies supporting him and Croatia. Didn’t realize what a legend he is over there.
Yeah i watched the game Iceland looked disinterested in the second half and looked like they purposely missed that penalty so Argentina goes through. All he had to do was put the ball softly in the corner or straight up the middle the Goalkeeper already dived. The fix is in thats why Nigeria won what a coincidence. Now Argentina will defeat Nigeria by 3 or 4 goals.
This will build the 22 team spirit!
Opportunity for all the guys to play.
These boys are our people.
We treat them like professionals but at the end of the day they are footballers who love to play.
That team is actually well deployed to give it to Iceland.
Kovačić still remembers his slalom runs.
TWO cdm’s will allow him to run wild.
Elite clubs will all be watching!
@ Toronto Croatia
Thanks for the video of Toronto Croatia.
Love to see Croatian leaders making a positive contribution to the community.
Pulisic is no accident that he has prezime!
Did any of u watch Nig vs Isl ?
They actually looked good hey
our win over them is now more impressive cos i thought Nigeria was good
@Toronto Croatia – thanks for the links. Off that, I noticed a bunch of clips on YouTube of Argentinians filming themselves watching the game with actual same time footage of the action superimposed on it.
Is this a new technology? Anybody know how it is done?
Let’s not worry about side issues like screwing the Argentinians or pleasing the Nigerian coach. Fuck that and fuck him. This is a friendly to prepare for Denmark.
Yeah i wondered about this too. We might play the B team against Iceland and possibly lose cos we don’t care. I kinda don’t wanna lose to those cunts though so hopefully the B team gets at least a draw.
Win-Win- we either beat a World Cup team with our 2nd string, or we lose bad enough to screw over the classless Argentinians.
Milek from Nigeria bitching about us not playing our starters. Hey Nigerian, just win your game and you won’t need to worry about what we do.
Just hope Kramaric, Perisic, and Kovacic stay healthy and uncarded.
And this is a video that appeared on Canadian tv before the Nigeria match …regarding the history of the Croatian community and their soccer influence in Toronto/Canada
https://youtu.be/chUbjg6bTWA
Not sure if anyone knew this but after Croatia beat Argentina in Dubai they lit up the worlds tallest building in Croatia’s colours …apparently out of respect to Dalic.
https://www.croatiaweek.com/worlds-tallest-building-lights-up-in-croatian-colours/
We would probably still beat Iceland with that lineup above.
But we definitely need to rest all carded players and as many key starters as possible.
I’m not too crazy about having to start Perisic and Kramaric. It’s a shame that Nikola Kalinic screwed us over on that one. We could’ve just played him up front in this game. Also, we should’ve called up one of Halilovic/Brekalo/Vlasic to give Perisic a rest.
Shows how crazy this depth we have where we are resting all of our key players, and will still be outgunning Iceland with more firepower.