Iceland-Croatia, started 45 mins earlier than the other 3 UEFA playoffs and hence I was able to watch them first. Also helps that Ajax's Kolbeinn Sigþórsson is their main striker and vice-captain. Both the teams started with two strikers but implemented them differently. While Iceland deployed Eredivisie duo Sigþórsson and Finnbogáson along side each other, Croatia used Mandzukic as CF and Eduardo on the wing. In addition to two strikers, the midfield two of Iceland had Gylfi Sigurðsson who is not actually a central midfielder. This meant Croatia had an extra man in the middle and they dictated play from the center. Modric in particular was the man responsible for this. The first 10 mins was all Croatia with the home team hardly getting the ball and even when they got the ball, they gave it away with poor touch. I guess the occasion caught up with them. But once they stabilized themselves, Iceland had the better chances. The most clear cut chance of the half was Guðmundsson's volley whose shot was so bad it went opposite to the Croatia goal instead of towards it. I think Pletikosa got the record number of caps for Croatia with this match being his 108th.
In first half, Croatia found joy on the wings with particularly Perisic on the left side but all the crosses were comfortably held by keeper Halldórsson. Mandzukic did nothing for most of the half. The first half ended pretty badly for Iceland as Ajax’s Sigþórsson got injured and was replaced by Eiður Guðjohnsen at the break. With the introduction of Eiður, Iceland now matched Croatia in the center and the match was fairly equal for a while. This is when Perisic mistakenly thought that Croatia is in Latin America instead of the Balkans. A slight touch from Skúlason is all that’s required for the big man from Croatia to go tumbling and the referee promptly sent off Skúlason. The home crowd repeatedly booed the referee in the first half as he consistently got the calls wrong and gave too many in Croatia’s favor. The red card only brought out more ire from the stands.
Iceland played with 10 men for nearly 40 mins and thwarted every Croatian attack. Vedran Corluka who partnered Dejan Lovren in central defence had a good game from the back as he didn't have anyone pressuring him constantly for the ball [WhoScored man of the match]. Iceland sacrificed Finnbogáson after the red card and Guðjohnsen was the furthest Icelandic player. Modric was Croatia's best player being at the heart of every attack but he was also their worst player in a sense as every time he gave the ball away, Iceland had a chance to break on counter attack. Both the keepers were hardly forced to make any saves though. Bayern München's Mandzukic had a frustrating match as he hardly got a touch entire game. Iceland comfortably held out for a 0-0 draw at home against better opponents and will now need a scored draw in Croatia to progress. 10% of Iceland’s population applied for the tickets at Reykjavík. Croatia used Srna as RB, Simunic as LB, Rakitic-Modric-Pranjic as central midfield with Perisic and Eduardo on wings.
Man of the match: Eiður Guðjohnsen. Best technical player on the pitch.
Hoping for Iceland to go through after 2nd leg.
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