Real Madrid's Luka Modric was the star of the show, dictating the tempo with his accurate range of passing from midfield.

Croatia's captain doubled his side's lead from the penalty spot after Nigeria defender William Troost-Ekong fouled Mario Mandzukic from a corner.

Mandzukic was also involved in the Vatreni's opener, when the striker's header was turned into his own net by Peter Etebo.

The Super Eagles lacked a punch throughout the contest and will have to improve to stand any chance of progressing from the group.

Here are our player ratings.

Croatia 

Danijel Subasic - 5

A spectator for most of the night.

Sime Vrsaljko - 6

Little to do defensively. Crossing let him down at times. 

Dejan Lovren - 6.5 

Won most of his headers but was rarely tested at the back.

Domagoj Vida - 6.5

A few important blocks but Nigeria rarely threatened.

Ivan Strinic - 6.5

Solid at the back and provided an outlet going forward.

Ivan Rakitic - 6.5

Booked for a late tackle but kept things ticking in the middle of the park.

Luka Modric 7.5

Standout player on the night. Played a couple of excellent cross-field passes to ask Nigeria questions. Showed calmness from the spot.

Ante Rebic - 6

Got into some decent positions but missed a great chance at 1-0.

Ivan Perišić - 7 

Tracked back when he needed too and delivered a couple of inviting crosses which weren't converted.

Andrej Kramaric - 6

Looked lively early on but faded as the game progressed.

Mario Mandžukić - 6

Played a part in both goals but was a static figure for most of the game.

SUBS

Marcelo Brozovic - 5.5 

Comfortable on the ball after coming on with 30 minutes to go.

Mateo Kovačić - 5

The game was as good as won when he was introduced.

Marko Pjaca - N/A

Came on for the last four minutes

Nigeria

Francis Uzoho (GK) - 5

No obvious mistakes from the 19-year-old keeper.

Abdullahi Shehu - 5 

Was regularly targeted, with Modric clipping balls into the defender's right-hand channel.

William Troost-Ekong - 5

Conceded a needless penalty after grappling Mandzukic in the box.

Leon-Aderemi Balogun - 6

Stopped a couple of dangerous crosses into the Nigeria box.

Brian Idowu - 5.5 

Little urgency to get forward from left-back. To be fair, that could be said of the whole team. 

Wilfred Ndidi - 5

Game passed him by as Nigeria were overran in midfield.

Peter Etebo - 4.5

Failed to get to grips with the Croatian midfield. Own goal opened the scoring.

John Obi Mikel - 5

Played a more advanced role in the first half but struggled to support Ighalo upfront.

 

Alex Iwobi - 5

The Arsenal man was on the fringes throughout.

Victor Moses - 5.5

A couple of threatening runs but often went down too easily.

Odion Ighalo - 5

An isolated figure from start to finish.

SUBS

Ahmed Musa - 5

His introduction made little impact.

Kelechi Iheanacho - 5

Replaced Ighalo with 16 minutes to go but fed off scrapes like his teammate.

Simeon Nwankwo - N/A 

Came on for the last two minutes.