Rise of a Football God

Norway and Chile created an all-time classic FIFA World Cup game at the BMO Field in Canada.

It was without doubt the most exciting game of the tournament so far.

Both countries deserved a win after such a valiant performance, and yet the Vikings of Norway were doomed to defeat by a single veteran, Arturo Vidal.

The Inter Milan legend won the man of the match award.

The Norwegian and Chilean encounter was an all-time classic, and yet it was not the only exciting game that took place on 14th June.

The game barely came to an end when another took its place.

(2026 FIFA World Cup- Group Stage:)

(GROUP E:)

(Nigeria vs Croatia)

(Venue: Estadio BBVA, Mexico)

(Date: June 14, 2026)

(Time: 17:00)

After what felt like a lifetime of waiting for the supporters of the Super Eagles, the players in green and white took to the pitch for the first time in the FIFA World Cup tournament, 3 days after the tournament's first game.

And they were not taking on just any team, they were taking on Luka Modric's Croatia.

Croatia is a small country, one of the smallest to ever play in a World Cup but their team was anything but small.

In the past 2 FIFA World Cups, the small country Croatia created history, making it all the way to the final of the World Cup in 2018 where they lost to France, and to the semifinals in 2022 where they lost to Argentina, the eventual winners.

In the FIFA World Cup, Croatia is a big country with a lot of history.

And yet, this was no longer the same Croatia.

Back in 2018, Croatia and Nigeria were also drawn in the same group, also with Argentina and the Croatians went to create massive upsets against both countries to make it to the knockout stage.

But back then, Croatia had a vibrant and younger, raring Luka Modric.

Not just him, Croatia had the likes of a prime Ivan Rakitic, Mateo Kovacic, Mandzukic, and others of that great Croatian side.

But now, most of those veterans were retired.

Yes, Croatia still had Luka Modric but this was a 40 year old Luka Modric who already called his legendary Real Madrid career to an end last season.

This was a changed Croatian side, and it was what made Nigerians dream.

Besides, even if this was prime Croatia, Nigerian fans would have still bragged and supported their country with gusto simply because of a single individual, the King, the best player in the world… Samuel Moses.

The time approached and the official lineups were dropped.

For Croatia, Livakovic was the final man in a 4-2-3-1 formation fielding a backline of Josko Gvardiol, D. Caleta-Car, Sutalo, and Stanisic. In midfield was the duo of Mateo Kovacic and Vlasic.

Further ahead in attack was the trio of Sucic, Ivan Perisic, and Kramaric, with Ante Budimir leading the line as the striker.

For the Nigerian squad, they started in the Eric Chelle 4-2-3-1 formation.

Stanley Nwabali returned his position in between the posts for the Super Eagles, while ahead of him was a quadruple defensive unit comprising Osayi Samuel, William Troost Ekong, Calvin Basey, and Ola Aina.

In midfield was the duo of Wilfrid Ndidi and Alex Iwobi, and further ahead of them were the dynamic trio of Moses Simon on the right, Ademola Lookman on the left, and Samuel Moses as the attacking midfielder of the team.

Leading the line was a familiar face, Victor Osimhen.

Walking out from the tunnel and into the pitch alongside his international teammates, Sam felt surreal. He could feel his heartbeat accelerating already.

He felt like he was standing in the podium of history.

Just 4 years ago, he was in Nigeria, in the NPFL, hustling out a career with Enyimba FC and yet here he was now, in the biggest stage of football.

At this moment, Sam's brain was blank and all that he felt was… gratitude.

Gratitude to God for everything.

When the Nigerian national anthem sounded, he felt goosebumps creeping under his skin. The atmosphere of the moment was getting to him.

After both national anthems, the players of both countries shook hands and lined up on the pitch.

Then, it began.

FWEEEE!

As soon as that whistle sounded, the world in the stadium exploded.

Nigeria and Croatia clashed at loggerheads, kick-starting history.

During the first few minutes of the game, both countries struggled to settle into the game and despite the tightness of the game, one player made his mark immediately, Samuel Moses.

It's been long since he felt it but Sam felt anxious. He could feel himself literally hyperventilating, but it didn't reduce his performance.

Rather, it only made him fall deeper into the embrace of adrenaline.

He abused his stamina, helping Osimhen to lead the press from the front. Croatia tried to calm the game repeated, but Nigeria tried to up the tempo.

It was a clash of footballing philosophies.

At some point, Croatia started having minor success till Sam erupted, jumping on a sliding tackle after tracking back as he intercepted a dangerous Croatian pass from Kovacic.

The loose ball fell to Alex Iwobi, and immediately, the Fulham star threaded a through pass through the middle of the pitch, slicing the Croatian defense open.

Alex Iwobi set Victor Osimhen up one on one with the Croatian goalkeeper.

The Lagos-born striker did not hesitate, taking one touch of the ball before rifling it into the roof of the net in the 25th minute of the game.

GOALLLLLLLL…!

Nigerian fans around the stadium erupted, waving flags, jerseys, and roaring at the top of their voices.

1-0

Nigeria led. And yet, Croatia still didn't change their playstyle.

Their coach kept on believing.

The first half came to an end 1-0 in Nigeria's favor. Second half started the same way with Croatia seemingly having more attacking success now, and yet they could not breach the Nigerian defense yet, till one counterattacking chance split them open again.

Once again, Sam was the one who won the ball back and this time, he led the attack himself, threading a pass to the left where Ademola Lookman lurked.

Lookman stung his man with a solid display of skill before crossing the ball into the 18-yard box where Victor Osimhen lurked.

The Croatian defenders jumped to defend the dangerous ball, but Victor Osimhen jumped higher, and then…

Bam!

His head connected to the ball, then…

BOOM!

The Estadio BBVA in Mexico exploded.