Croatia ends Iceland's FIFA World Cup dreams

<p>Moscow [Russia], June 27 (ANI): Ivan Perisic's last-minute goal on Tuesday ensured Croatia's position to the top of Group D of the ongoing FIFA World Cup with maximum points as they knocked out a resilient Iceland with a 2-1 win in Rostov-on-Don.</p><p>After a dry first half, Milan Badelj gave a lead to Croatia in the 53rd minute.</p><p>Sverrir Ingason rattled the bar with a header in response for Iceland, but the only way they could beat Croatia goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic on his superb World Cup bow came from the spot.</p><p>Gylfi Sigurdsson's 76th-minute penalty gave Iceland hope of mounting a comeback.</p><p>But Iceland's fighting spirit ultimately proved for nothing as Perisic securing a third successive win for Croatia in the 90thminute.</p><p>Croatia have finished the group stage with nine points, having won all their three matches.</p><p>Meanwhile, Iceland finished at the bottom of the group with one point despite starting off with a lot of promise when they held formidable Argentina 1-1 in their opening match.</p><p>Croatia will be joined in the last 16 by Argentina following their dramatic 2-1 win over Nigeria.</p><p>Croatia will now meet Denmark in the knockout stage in Nizhny Novgorod on Sunday. (ANI)</p><br/><center><em><p>This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI</p></em></center>

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