World Cup: Five things we learned from Group D

2. Croatia are starting to click

Vatreni fans won’t be getting too carried away despite their impressive start to the tournament. Besides, they’ve seen this before.

Croatia made a similar start at the European Championships two years ago, topping a group which included defending champions Spain before crashing out to Portugal in the round of 16.

Still, this is the first time Croatia have reached the knockout stages at a World Cup since their run to the semi-finals in 1998.

In recent years, no manger has found a way to maximise the talented duo of Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic in midfield.

However, the pair were immense as Croatia swept Argentina aside last time out, while consecutive clean sheets suggest solidity at the back.

3. Musa is a hot prospect

The pacey striker arrived at then-Premier League champions Leicester City in 2016 with a promising reputation.

Musa’s Champions League pedigree for CSKA Moscow, as well as his form for Nigeria, prompted the Foxes to part with £16 million (AUS $28.6m). After registering just two goals in 21 Premier League appearances, the forward returned to his former club on loan 17 months later.

But, after starting on the bench in Nigeria’s 2-0 defeat to Croatia, Musa showed just what all the hype was about with and a man of the match performance against Iceland.

The Scandinavian side, who often boast a strong defence, simply couldn’t cope with the 25-year-old’s blistering pace and ruthless finishing, as Musa’s second-half brace secured a 2-0 Nigeria victory.