Croatia claimed pole position in Group D with a hard-fought 2-0 win against Nigeria thanks to an own goal from Oghenekaro Etebo and a Luka Modric penalty.
Midfielder Etebo, who joined Stoke City for €7.2million on Monday, turned a Modric corner into his own net after Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic both flicked the delivery on.
Nigeria s previous goal conceded at the World Cup in 2014 was also an own goal, defender Joseph Yobo the unfortunate player to put through his own net in a last-16 defeat to France.
And when William Troost-Ekong needlessly dragged Mandzukic down in the box, captain Modric coolly converted the 71st-minute penalty to give Croatia a winning start on their fifth appearance at the finals.
Croatia had the better of a close contest light on chances in Kaliningrad, with Mandzukic s aerial power causing plenty of problems for Nigeria, who have the youngest squad at the World Cup.
Gernot Rohr s men were unable to create a clear opportunity of their own and sit bottom of Group D following the first round of fixtures, Argentina and Iceland having drawn in Moscow earlier on Friday after Lionel Messi missed a penalty.
2 Luka Modrić is the second player to score a penalty for in the World Cup, after Davor Šuker vs Romania in 1998, both as Real Madrid players. Icons.
— OptaJose (@OptaJose)
After a cagey opening, Perisic fired Croatia s first shot in the 13th minute, narrowly clearing the crossbar after Mandzukic s strength created the opportunity to shoot.
More solid hold-up play from Mandzukic fed Ante Rebic, whose effort deflected wide, with Croatia scoring the opening goal from the resulting set-piece in the 32nd minute.
Perisic and Mandzukic both got a touch on a right-wing Modric corner but the crucial contact came at the back post from Etebo, who could only divert the ball past teenage goalkeeper Francis Uzoho.
Alex Iwobi was proving a lively presence in attack for Nigeria but after wriggling into space on the left side of the box, he hit a shot directly into a Croatia defender.
Rebic should have doubled Croatia s lead, firing over from Perisic s perfect left-wing centre, with Odion Ighalo s tame header recording the match s first shot on target in the 59th minute.
GOAL! doubles the lead for from the penalty spot!
Just the five penalties in the today, so far
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup)
Nigeria s lack of quality in the final third was evident and after Troost-Ekong was penalised for holding Mandzukic in the penalty area, Modric sent Uzoho the wrong way from 12 yards for his first World Cup goal.
A fightback from the Super Eagles never looked likely, Danijel Subasic given a comfortable outing in the Croatia goal with Kelechi Iheanacho and Etebo missing chances to register.
Croatia next face Messi s men on Thursday, while Nigeria are in action the following day against World Cup debutants Iceland.
