Modric’s steady play lifts Croatia by Nigeria
KALININGRAD, Russia — Even in a more defensive role, Luka Modric can lead the attack.
The Croatia midfielder scored one goal and set up the other in his team's 2-0 victory over Nigeria on Saturday at the World Cup.
Modric sent in a corner that was headed by two teammates and then deflected into the net by Nigeria midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo in the 32nd minute.
“We scored at the perfect moment,” Modric said. “After that it was easier for us to play our game. After the first goal we started creating chances.”
Modric later converted a penalty in the 71st after William Ekong held Mario Mandzukic in the penalty area. It was the fifth penalty awarded in four World Cup matches Saturday.
Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr thought his team also deserved a penalty.
“There were also so many fouls in the other box, they could have also given a penalty for us,” Rohr said.
Croatia, with Modric and Ivan Rakitic controlling the midfield, dominated most of the match and rarely allowed Nigeria to get close to goal. It took nearly an hour for the Nigerians to have an effort on target.
“We have the youngest team in this World Cup,” Rohr said. “Let them learn from this match, from this defeat.”
DENMARK 1, PERU 0
Whether Kasper Schmeichel was making an acrobatic save or just getting lucky, it was his night.
In a World Cup debut reminiscent of the way his father, Peter, played for Denmark and Manchester United, Schmeichel made Yussuf Poulsen's opportunistic second-half goal stand up in a victory over Peru in Saransk.
“It's good to have a good goalkeeper, let me put it that way,” Denmark coach Age Hareide said. “He is acrobatic and a very quick goalkeeper.
“He had a fantastic performance and we needed it. You have to acknowledge the performance of Kasper today.”
Poulsen squeezed his goal between charging Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese and the left post in the 59th minute of play after collecting an angled pass from midfielder Christian Eriksen.
Appearing at the World Cup for the first time in 36 years, Peru had overwhelming fan support in the Mordovia Arena and the bulk of scoring chances, including a late first-half penalty shot that Christian Cueva sailed over the crossbar.
FRANCE 2, AUSTRALIA 1
Technology twice helped France at the World Cup in Kazan as the 1998 champions labored to beat a gritty Australia in their opening game.
The French team was given a controversial penalty kick, eventually converted by Antoine Griezmann in the 58th minute, after the referee watched the replay of a foul on the sideline.
Paul Pogba later scored the winning goal in the 81st minute, and goal-line technology was used to confirm the ball had crossed the line after bouncing down off the crossbar.
“I'm not going to complain about the use of video today,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “It helped correct a mistake.”
Pogba had been unimpressive until the goal, but the Manchester United midfielder set up a 1-2 with substitute Olivier Giroud and beat Australia goalkeeper Mat Ryan to give France the victory.
Australia captain Mile Jedinak had briefly equalized from the penalty spot in the 62nd after France defender Samuel Umtiti handled the ball in the area.