An excellent performance
2:0 win takes Croatia to the World Cup!
19.11.2013.
After the draw in Reykjavik, Croatian national football team reached the goal of playing at the world stage in Brazil next year with an aggregate 2:0 win.
CROATIA - ICELAND 2:0 (1:0)
World Cup 2014 play-offs, November 19th, 2013.
Zagreb, Maksimir Stadium.
Referee: Björn Kuipers (Netherlands)
Goalscorers: 1:0 - Mandžukić (27'), 2:0 - Srna (47')
Yellow Cards: Olić (7'), R. Sigurdsson (45'), Šimunić (51'), Hallfredsson (84')
Red Card: Mandžukić (38')
Croatia: Pletikosa, Pranjić, Šimunić, Ćorluka, Srna, Kovačić (74' Rebić), Rakitić, Modrić (89' Lovren), Perišić, Olić (80' Jelavić), Mandžukić. Head Coach: N. Kovač.
Iceland: Halldorsson, R. Sigurdsson, Arnason, Saevarsson, A. Skulason, Gunnarsson (72' Hallfredsson), Bjarnason, Gudmundsson, G. Sigurdsson, Finnbogason, Gudjohnsen (64' Gislason). Head Coach: L. Lagerbäck.
Croatian national football team, under the guidance of head coach Niko Kovač, has secured a place at the World Cup in Brazil. After the goalless draw in the first leg, Croatia beat Iceland 2:0 in the second leg to make it to the next summer's world stage.
Croatia put pressure on the visitors from the first minute and the first Kovačić's attempt, but shortly, on the other side, Pletikosa had to pick up the ball from his net. However, the referee has signalled offside.
There was plenty of action in Halldorsson's box, and Croatian captain Srna threatened with a dangerous free kick in the 20th minute.
In the 27th minute, Croatia eventually scored. Rakitić and Perišić delivered the ball to Mandžukić at the far post, and he didn't miss, much to the joy of the home crowd at Maksimir. Ten minutes later, Mandžukić was also sent-off for a foul on Gudmundsson.
Ten-men Croatia scored again at the beginning of the second half. Kovačić made a run to the Icelandic box, and Srna beat Halldorsson with a low shot.
Croatia didn't stop there. In the 58th minute Kovačić again beat his defenders, and Olić struck the post with a brilliant bicycle kick. Later, Modrić led a counter-attack which Perišić failed to finish, and Pranjić missed another good chance in front of Halldorsson.
In the end, Iceland couldn't prevent the Croatian celebrations, on and off the field.
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