World Cup 2018: Croatia’s Road to the Final

Daniela Rogulj

Can Croatia do it?

After Nigeria defeated Iceland (2:0) yesterday, Croatia will likely be the first team of Group D after the second round of games. Joining the Croatia squad in the 1998 World Cup in France, this Croatia side will be the second in history to play in the knockout stage of this tournament, reports Index.hr on June 22, 2018. 

Nigeria’s win has put them in second place of the group, and if they beat Argentina and Croatia loses to Iceland, Nigeria can even confirm their place as the first time of Group D. If, by chance, it does come down to the two teams, theoretically, it is still possible for Croatia to come second in Group D depending on goal differential.

Here’s a look at the World Cup 2018 group stage tie-breaker rules:

1. Highest number of points

2. Goal difference

3. Goals scored 

4. Points obtained in group games between teams concerned

5. Goal difference from games involving teams concerned

6. Number of goals scored in games between teams concerned

7. Fair play points

8. Drawing of lots by FIFA

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet. 

Assuming that Croatia will finish at the top of Group D, Croatia’s road to the World Cup final in Russia is already known.

On July 1, Croatia will meet in Nizhny Novgorod with the second-placed team of Group C, assuming it will be France in first and Denmark in second. From the last round, France already has enough to confirm first place in the group. 

If Croatia wins over Denmark in the round of 16, they will play in the quarterfinal in Sochi on July 7 against the winner of the duel between first in Group B (Spain, Portugal, Iran) and second place in Group A (Russia, Uruguay).

In the semifinal, Croatia would play against the winners of Group F (Sweden, Mexico, Germany, South Korea) and H (Senegal, Japan, Poland, Colombia) or Group E (Brazil, Serbia , Switzerland, Costa Rica) and G (Belgium, England, Tunisia, Panama).

The final at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium is scheduled for July 15. 

If the results within the individual groups are as expected, Croatia can escape Brazil, Germany, and France -three of the five major favorites for the 2018 World Cup title. 

 

Subscribe to our newsletter

the fields marked with * are required
Email: *
First name:
Last name:
Gender: Male Female
Country:
Birthday:
Please don't insert text in the box below!

Leave a Comment