A45-minute run out in the second half of Croatia's 2-0 win over Iceland helped Luka Modric to continue his return to match fitness, with the 31-year-old hoping to start for Real Madrid in next Saturday's derby against Atletico Madrid. Replacing his club teammate Mateo Kovacic at half-time, the Ballon d'Or candidate helped his national team grind out all three World Cup qualifying points in front of an empty Stadion Maksimir, with FIFA having issued the Croatian FA with a stadium closure punishment.Marcelo Brozovic - who also scored the opener in the first half - benefitted from Modric's introduction as he set the Inter player up for the victory-clinching second in stoppage time. The Croatia No.10 - who wore the captain's armband when he entered the fray - also had a chance to mark his substitute appearance with a goal, but Hannes Thor Halldorsson saved his effort. With the win, the Croatians sit top of Group I with 10 points from four matches.
2. Croatia: Subasic; Vrsaljko, Corluka, Vida, Pivaric; Badelj, Kovacic (min. 46 Modric); Brozovic, Rakitic (min. 85 Kramaric), Perisic; Mandzukic (min. 92 Cop)
Coach: Ante Cacic
0. Iceland: Halldórsson; Sævarsson, Sigurdsson, Arnason, Magnusson; Gudmundsson, Sigurdsson, Gunnarsson, E. Bjarnason; B. Bjarnason (min. 75 Traustason), Bodvarsson (min. 75 Kjartasson).
Coach: Heimir Hallgrímsson
Goals: 1-0. min 15: Brozovic; 2-0. min 91: Brozovic.
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (ITA). Yellow cards for Bjarnason (min.19), Badelj (min.39) and Vida (min.76). Red card for Perisic (min.92).
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