Preview and how to watch Nigeria vs. Croatia
Croatia and Nigeria both looking for their break in hopes of making it to the Round of 16.
On the third day of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Croatia and Nigeria will face one another in their first game of the group stage on Saturday. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. ET from the Kaliningrad Stadium in Kaliningrad, Russia, and you can watch the game on FOX or Telemundo. Online streaming is also available in English through FOX here or in Spanish through Telemundo here.
Croatia will rally behind midfielder Luka Modric in order to look for success in hoping to move on to the round of 16. Mikel John Obi and Victor Moses will be key players for Nigeria for their own shot in the group stage.
These teams will both feel a lot better about their chances to win Group D after the early match. Argentina and Iceland drew 1-1, meaning that if either Croatia or Nigeria can pick up a win, they’ll go top of the group.
Croatia vs. Nigeria Time, TV channel and streaming info
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad, Russia
TV: FS1, Telemundo
Streaming: Available for free with TV provider through FOX Sports Go (English) or Telemundo Deportes en vivo (Spanish). Also available on subscriptions services like Fubo and Hulu.
Odds: Croatia -0.5 (full odds at OddsShark)
Croatia key player: Luka Modric
Everything Croatia does runs through the diminutive Real Madrid midfielder. You’ll see him pop up everywhere.
Nigeria key player: Alex Iwobi
If Nigeria is going to win, they’ll need some of their boom-or-bust attackers to show up. Iwobi can occasionally disappear from games, but he’s unplayable when he’s at his best.
Croatia vs. Nigeria news to read before kickoff
The World Cup Is Where Nigeria’s Super Eagles Can Really Soar
Pretty much every national team has a couple guys who play a more free and adventurous game with country as opposed to club, but no other team at this World Cup embodies this phenomenon quite like Nigeria.
WORLD CUP: Star-studded Croatia has potential to shine
Even with the talent oozing through the squad, Croatia only squeezed through the playoffs to qualify for a second straight World Cup. More is expected of Real Madrid playmaker Luka Modric, Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic and Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic in Russia.