AfriPulse
Nikola Vlasic score late header as Croatia book dem place for World Cup last 32 with victory over already-qualified Ghana for Philadelphia.
Zlatko Dalic side need to avoid defeat against Black Stars to be sure of knockout stage, but Vlasic effort seven minutes from time ensure dem qualify as runner-up to England, wey beat Panama for Group L other game.
Ghana defender Derrick Luckassen cancel Petar Sucic stunning first-half opener for 73rd minute, but Black Stars no fit hold on for point and go now head into last 32 as one of best third-placed sides.
Croatia victory also end Scotland faint hope of qualifying for knockout stages.
Finalist for 2018 and semi-finalist four years later, Croatia carry greater threat for first half and nearly take lead for 17 minute, when Vlasic long-range drive graze outside goalkeeper Benjamin Asare right-hand post.
But Dalic team take richly deserved lead when Inter Milan midfielder Sucic collect Mateo Kovacic pass before arrowing low, right-footed drive through Luckassen leg and into bottom corner.
Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo drag low shot narrowly wide of far post late for first half, but e go be scarcely deserved equaliser for Carlos Queiroz side, wey no fit muster first-half shot on target for third game for succession.
However, Black Stars appear revitalised by half-time introduction of Leicester City winger Abdul Fatawu, wey flash powerful shot narrowly over bar early for second half.
Ghana be rewarded for dem improved second-half showing when Luckassen head home Ernest Nuamah delivery – goal wey video assistant referee award after near four-minute check for offside.
Kwasi Sibo dey offside position from Nuamah cross, but on-field official Drew Fischer eventually inform crowd that Ghana number eight no dey interfere with play when ball strike and give goal.
Momentum appear to be with Ghana as game enter final 10 minutes, but Vlasic nod home Luka Modric delivery to earn Croatia dem second Group L victory.
England break through with 2-0 win over Panama to top group as Harry Kane go ahead of Gary Lineker with im 11th World Cup goal.
Jude Bellingham break frustrating deadlock to put England ahead after 62 minutes, then cross for Kane to double dem advantage with close-range header five minutes later.
E be England captain 11th World Cup goal – take am one ahead of Gary Lineker.
England dey below-par for long periods and once more look vulnerable for back, suffer another injury blow when emergency right-back Jarell Quansah, deputising for injured Reece James, force off for second half.
Bellingham be England outstanding driving force, make breakthrough when e turn in clever finish from Bukayo Saka corner.
He then turn creator with perfect cross for Kane to rewrite England history book again with routine finish, im 82nd goal for 117 appearances.
As England close out win, wey mean dem go face either DR Congo or Senegal for last 32 for Atlanta – barring unlikely sequence of results – Jordan Henderson come on as substitute to become first player to represent im country at four World Cups.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel need game-changer for dour struggle against Panama, after im side play three goalless halves for succession for World Cup.
And e be Bellingham wey take on role, with quality and sheer force of will, to drag England out of situation where, for one point, dem dey second for dem group behind Croatia.
Bellingham push forward for first half, along with recalled Morgan Rogers, wey occasionally leave Elliot Anderson isolated for midfield and England vulnerable for break.
E pay dividends, however, just after hour when e stretch im leg around Panama Jorge Gutierrez to force finish past keeper Orlando Mosquera.
And Bellingham make another decisive contribution with cross for Kane, as Real Madrid star rise to challenge of lifting England out of mediocrity and to top of dem group.
England fit secure victory wey put dem top of dem group, but dis no be win without concern for head coach Tuchel.
Panama dey rank 42nd for world and already out of tournament, but dem give England uncertain defence far too much trouble for Tuchel comfort as dem register 13 shots.
England simply no fit afford to be as open against sides of greater quality or punishment go dey heavy, perhaps terminal for World Cup context.
And Tuchel go hope Quansah injury no prove to be serious and further expose im defensive resources at right-back, with James suffer another hamstring injury.
Source: NNN.ng | Read the Full Story…
