Croatia clinches group, knocks out Iceland
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 victory over Iceland and first place in Group D on Tuesday in Rostov-On-Don, Russia.
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 equalized in the 76th when Gylfi Sigurdsson scored from the penalty spot after From left, Croatia’s Duje Caleta-Car, Iceland’s Aron Gunnarsson and Iceland’s Bjorn Sigurdarson jump for the ball during Croatia’s 2-1 victory. 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," he said. "The players should have a lot of credit for this game. I couldn't have been more proud." 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 victory in Sochi. 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 18th-minute goal — a half-volley
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, who almost missed the tournament because of a doping suspension, scored the other goal in the 50th with a left-footed strike after
getting to a loose ball inside the area. "This triumph is for our people and for Jefferson (Farfan)," Guerrero said of his teammate who missed the match after being hospitalized with a head injury sustained in practice last weekend. "We showed that Peru can play as equal to anyone." Australia striker Tim Cahill, a 38-year-old veteran who entered the match in the 53rd minute, had a chance to become only the fifth player to score in four World Cups, joining Pele, Uwe Seeler, Miroslav Klose and Cristiano Ronaldo. But he had few chances. Australia's best chance
to score came in the 27th minute when Tom Rogic made a run through the Peru defense and had his shot saved by goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. Peru almost added its third goal when Edison Flores' shot hit the post following a fast breakaway. DENMARK 0, FRANCE 0: A game neither France nor Denmark needed to win produced the World Cup's first 0-0 draw amid boos and whistles from fans in Moscow. A slow-paced game out of step with a vibrant tournament ensured already-qualified France won Group C and Denmark advanced as runner-up.