Hareide tips Eriksen to match Modric in last 16 duel
It was the worst possible start for Croatia when in the first minute of the match they fell behind when Jorgensen’s shot after a scramble in the box found its way through the defence and keeper Subasic.
Christian Eriksen – The playmaker is Denmark’s biggest hope of defeating Croatia.
Modric scored a peach of a goal from distance against Argentina and along with FC Barcelona’s Rakitic, has been pulling the strings brilliantly for his national team.
39′ – A set piece for Croatia nearly results in a goal. If you are Croatia you’ve got to be thinking you’ve got a big chance of winning the World Cup. Eriksen however, remains their only realy player possible of creating the magic needed to put the ball in the back of the net.
Croatian defender Dejan Lovren also believes his side can exceed his country’s 1998 finish, the best ever in the country’s history, according to the online newspaper Ahram.
Dejan Lovren nearly got the second goal for the Croats seven minutes before the break with a glancing header that sailed just wide of the upright. Denmark will make life hard for them but in the end, Croatia’s quality will show and they’ll break them down.
Thomas Delaney – 6 – Struggled to leave a lasting impression in the first half alongside Christensen in the midfield, but looked more assured and composed in the second half as Denmark grew into the match.
Denmark striker Yussuf Poulsen is back from suspension and is expected to be named in Hareide’s starting line-up.
82′ – Croatia’s Mateo Kovacic takes a hard fall and immediately grabs his right shoulder.
Jorgensen fired a low effort at the goalkeeper after turning well inside the area with Denmark now looking the more unsafe, and Eriksen dragged a half-chance wide soon afterwards.
29′ – Two great chances for Croatia (first a shot by Ivan Rakitic and then one by Ivan Perisic) are defended well by Denmark. The Scandinavian side were unbeaten in their practice games coming into the World Cup.
Extra time ends goal-less as Modric misses the penalty.
In extra time, Knudsen’s long throws proved the most unsafe attacking weapon but eventually it was penalties that delivered a victor.
However, they will come up against a Denmark team who have also not lost a match so far at the tournament.
Knudsen’s cross is blocked by Lovren, and Denmark have a corner.
Croatia bounced back nearly immediately and in the 4th minuted leveled when Mandzukic finished off from a lucky rebound off a Danish defender.
Croatia could have won the game in extra-time but captain Luka Modric had a penalty saved by Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel, after Mathias Jorgensen brought down Ante Rebic.
Next up for Croatia was Modric and this time the Real Madrid man beat Schmeichel. Subasic saved again but Pivaric could not take advantage as Schmeichel saved his effort.
The Tottenham playmakers past and present hold down important roles for their national sides, with Modric outstanding for Croatia so far at Russian Federation 2018 and Eriksen Denmark’s main attacking threat.