Jun 16, 2018 at 8pm UK at ​Kaliningrad Stadium
Attendance: 31,136
Croatia
2-0
Nigeria
Etebo (32' og.), Modric (72' pen.)
Rakitic (30'), Brozovic (89')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Croatia striker Nikola Kalinic sent home from World Cup

Croatia's Kalinic sent home from World Cup
© Reuters
Nikola Kalinic will play no further part in Croatia's World Cup campaign after refusing to come on as a substitute in their 2-0 win against Nigeria on Saturday evening.

Croatia have confirmed that striker Nikola Kalinic has been sent home from the World Cup after refusing to come on as a substitute against Nigeria.

The 30-year-old was left on the bench for the fourth international running as his side battled to a 2-0 victory in Kaliningrad at the weekend.

Kalinic was summoned in the 85th minute when manager Zlatko Dalic was looking to take off Mario Mandzukic, however, only to reportedly complain of a back problem.

Croatia confirmed in a statement on Monday afternoon that the 41-cap international will play no further part in their World Cup campaign, with games against Argentina and Iceland still to come in the group stage.

Reports suggest that Kalinic is at the centre of transfer talks between Sevilla and AC Milan after scoring just six times for the Italian club last season.

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Croatia midfielder Luka Modric in action during his side's international friendly with Brazil at Wembley on June 3, 2018
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