17 June 2018
Two wins and one draw, a full round-up of the Bianconeri in action in yesterday's World Cup games.
FRANCE LEAVE IT LATE
A midday World Cup kick-off saw France take on Australia in Kazan, as both sides proved to be a tough nut to crack for each other.
France eventually went ahead in the second half after VAR awarded a penalty to Les Bleus and Antoine Griezmann converted from the spot. However, just four minutes later and the Aussies were handed a penalty of their own when Samuel Umtiti handled in the area, and Mile Jedinak also kept his cool to draw his side level.
Blaise Matuidi then entered the fray on 78 minutes and then just three minutes later France scored the all-important match winner, when an effort from former Bianconero Paul Pogba deflected over the goalkeeper to hand the French a 2-1 win.
ARGENTINA HELD
A surprise result, that saw Gonzalo Higuain play the last six minutes of the game.
Argentina went in front on 19 minutes through a powerful strike from Sergio Aguero, however the plucky visitors got themselves level when Alfred Finnbogason was on hand to turn home in the box after a low cross in fell to his feet.
Lionel Messi had a penalty saved in the second half from Icelandic goalkeeper, Hannes Thor Halldorsson, and despite creating numerous chances, Iceland held on to claim a memorable point.
CROATIA IN CONTROL
Croatia claimed a convincing 2-0 result over Nigeria in their opener, with Juve forward Mario Mandzukic playing a crucial role.
The Croats went in front when Mandzukic got a diving header to a ball in from the right and it deflected off of Nigerian midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo. The Juve number 17 also played a part in the second goal when William Troost-Ekong pulled down Mandzukic by the shirt in the box with the referee awarding a spot kick, that Luka Modric converted.
Marko Pjaca also made a late cameo in the game, coming on for Mandzukic in the 86th minute.
TODAY's Fixtures
The #JuveWorldCup starts at 17:00 CEST today with Sami Khedira's Germany taking on Mexico, and then three hours later at 20:00 CEST it's Douglas Costa's turn as Brazil play Switzerland.
