The match between Nigeria and Croatia pitched the old against the young

The match between Nigeria and Croatia  pitched the young against the old and shortly after the half-hour mark, age was already ahead and fought to protect the lead. John Obi Mikel, would have wanted to fulfill the expectations of 180 million Nigerian people, but looked utterly disappointed

Luka Modrid doubled Croatia's lead from the penalty spot (Getty)

Between the two countries, only two of Nigeria’s players – Mikel and Odion Ighalo, both play in China – were not born in the 1990s. Only two members of the Croatian team they faced were younger than their country.

Moments before the match started, the youngest of the players, Nigeria’s goalkeeper, 19years old,  Francis Uzoho, sank to his knees and flung his arms out wide looking forward for a great game. Luka Modric the Croatian captain did not start well. The skipper had been bundled off the ball by his opposite number, Mikel, early on and his free-kicks and corners had been utterly not on target but in end they had the day.