Croatia wins group; scoreless tie a first
ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia — Croatia ended Iceland’s chances at the World Cup and helped out Argentina at the same time.
Ivan Perisic capitalized on a defensive error to score a 90th-minute winner Tuesday, giving Croatia a 2-1 win over Iceland and first place in Group D on Tuesday.
Iceland could have finished second in the group with a victory because Argentina beat Nigeria 2-1 at the same time. Instead, the Croats will face Denmark on Sunday in Nizhny Novgorod, and Argentina will take on France on Saturday in Kazan.
Fielding a side filled with reserves after already being assured of a spot in the round of 16, Croatia started to take control of the match in the second half.
Milan Badelj, moments after hitting the bar, scored the opening goal in the 53rd minute. He sprinted into the area and sent a bouncing shot past goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson.
“The fact that we’ve brought on nine new players and won is another sign of our strength and depth, and we have to be proud of that,” said Badelj, who was man of the match.
Iceland tied in the 76th minute when Gylfi Sigurdsson scored from the penalty spot after substitute Dejan Lovren handled the ball.
Defender Sverrir Ingason twice threatened for Iceland, hitting the crossbar with a header in the second half.
“There is too much quality in Croatia,” Iceland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said. “I am disappointed but I am really proud of the character and the performance of the boys.
“It was a bit of a shock to concede one, but we did not give up. The players should have a lot of credit for this game. I couldn’t have been more proud.”
FRANCE 0, DENMARK 0
A game no team needed to win became the game no fan would want to watch.
France and Denmark produced the tournament’s first 0-0 draw amid boos and whistles from fans in Moscow.
The slow-paced game was out of step with a vibrant tournament. But it advanced both teams to the round of 16 unbeaten, with the bonus of no players suspended and no serious injuries. France will now play Argentina, and Denmark faces Croatia.
The draw would always have ensured that outcome, and it became inevitable in the second half. Events elsewhere in Group C made this game all but irrelevant.
Peru beat Australia 2-0 in Sochi at the same time, meaning the Danes would have advanced even if they lost to France before 78,011 at the World Cup’s signature Luzhniki Stadium.
“We did what we needed,” Denmark coach Age Hareide said, praising his team for a disciplined display. “We would have been stupid to open a lot of space for the French team.”
France was already sure to advance with two opening victories, and this result spread the happiness to Denmark and its thousands of fans who stayed to dance and cheer in an empty stadium.
Less happy were the neutral fans in the crowd. Many Russians cheered the host team’s name and whistled misplaced passes and slow play as the game progressed with Denmark protecting its one point for a draw.
It was the longest a World Cup had gone without a goalless draw since 1954, a tournament of 26 games that all delivered at least one goal.
“We didn’t have to take risks to get better because this result was good for everyone,” France coach Didier Deschamps said.
Deschamps rested six starters to put out a team that baPerrely tested Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel until substitute Nabil Fekir tried two long-range shots.
PERU 2, AUSTRALIA 0
Back at the World Cup for the first time since 1982, Peru isn’t leaving Russia empty handed.
The Peruvians failed to score a goal in their opening two matches, but the team finally gave its fans a reason to celebrate when it ended Australia’s hopes of advancing to the knockout round with a shutout in Sochi, Russia.
The Australians had to beat Peru and hope Denmark lost to France in the other Group C match, but neither result occurred. France and Denmark drew 0-0 in Moscow.
Andre Carrillo’s 18thminute goal — a halfvolley from inside the area — was Peru’s first in a World Cup since its last appearance 36 years ago. Peru hadn’t won a World Cup match since defeating Iran in 1978.
“I need to thank the players for their great effort, and the fans, who were incredible and supported us all the way,” Peru coach Ricardo Gareca said. “At least we were able to give them a triumph, that’s the most important thing.”
Peru captain Paolo Guerrero scored the other goal in the 50th minute with a left-footed strike after getting to a loose ball inside the area.