Five things we've learned: Iceland v Croatia
Ivan Perisic ended Iceland's World Cup dream with a 90th-minute winner as Croatia racked up a third successive victory in Group D.
Iceland have a lot of heart but in the end, it wasn't enough, however, Croatia could be the dark horses for the tournament. Here are five things we learned from the game.
CROATIA'S MIDFIELD IS ONE OF THE BEST
Croatia's midfield is one of their most assured areas with the likes of Mateo Kovacic and Luka Modric bossing play from the first whistle.
Kovacic had 100% passing accuracy with 55 passes in the first half and the eye-opening stat that makes you realise the strength in depth that the Croats have. This could play a major factor in the latter stages of the tournament
THE ICELANDIC SPIRIT NEVER DIES
It's not only their fans who are a passionate bunch, with the team on the pitch gave everything until the very end.
Despite only having 39% possession, Iceland had more shots than their opponents (16 to Croatia's 14) never giving up coming from behind once to level the scores.
Despite the late finish from Perisic Iceland still piled forward, not stopping until full-time. It looks as though we can expect Iceland at more major tournaments in the near future.
CROATIA ARE MORE THAN OUTSIDERS
Croatia have won three consecutive World Cup games for the first time in their history, collecting all nine available points and to become winners of Group D.
Dominant n possession and dangerous going forward despite making nine changes, the Croatians look the real deal in Russia.
Could they be emerging as the dark horse of the competition?
CROATIA'S CLINICAL FINISHING
Milan Badelj's 53rd-minute opener and Ivan Perisic's late winner provided the win for Croatia.
Despite having fewer shots than Iceland they were clinical with their efforts on target, rattling the Icelandic cross-bar in the process.
Perisic has now scored three World Cup goals for Croatia – only Davor Suker (6) has scored more.
IS 2018 THE WORLD CUP OF PENALTIES?
VAR has had its stamp on this World Cup, particularly in the penalty box, but in Iceland's defeat to Croatia there was no need for review when Dejan Lovren's handball made the referee point to the spot.
Gylfi Sigurdsson’s penalty for Iceland was the 17th scored at the 2018 World Cup, equalling the most penalties scored in a single World Cup tournament (also 17 in 1998).
With plenty of games to go we're sure to see many, many more... aren't we?