Account
Iceland vs. Croatia: Team News, Live Stream, TV Info for World Cup 2018
June 25, 2018
Croatia's decision to rest players for their final Group D match against Iceland at the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday could hinder Argentina's slim hopes of qualifying for the knockout phase.
Argentina need to beat Nigeria on the same day and hope Iceland can't better their result at the Rostov Arena. However, Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has said he will rest key stars with his side already in the last 16.
Iceland's chances of joining them will likely hinge on the performance of Everton playmaker and creative talisman Gylfi Sigurdsson.
Date: Tuesday, June 26
Time: 9 p.m. local time (7 p.m. BST/2 p.m. ET)
TV Info: BBC Four/Fox Sports 1.
Live Stream: BBC iPlayer. Fox Soccer MatchPass.
With qualification already secured, Dalic may rest players who have already been booked, and therefore risk a suspension for the next round. Among those set for a night off are strikers Mario Mandzukic and Ante Rebic, along with midfielder Ivan Rakitic and defender Sime Vrsaljko, per Marca.
The same source also confirmed Rakitic's fellow midfielder Marcelo Brozovic is banned. His absence will create an interesting call for Dalic, who will have to decide whether to risk skipper Luka Modric or afford the 32-year-old a breather.
Veteran playmaker Modric has been his nation's best player through two matches. His vision and technique are vital for the way Croatia play so perhaps should be saved for a game with more at stake for The Blazers.
It will likely depend on how much Dalic wants to win the group. Finishing second could mean facing France in the next phase.
Iceland's hopes of being involved can be boosted by a quality performance from Sigurdsson. He was hot and cold during the loss to Nigeria, exceptional in the first half, but quiet after the break, missing a penalty late on.
Even so, Sigurdsson remains confident Iceland can get the better of a familiar foe they beat 1-0 a year ago, per Petur Hreinsson of FIFA's official website:
Iceland's chances of a repeat will be boosted if Croatia rest notable names, even if Dalic can still call on quality players such as Modric, Real Madrid schemer Mateo Kovacic and Hoffenheim striker Andrej Kramaric.
Expect Croatia to sneak a result against an Iceland team lacking sufficient firepower in forward areas.