According to the report, the player has been sent home after refusing to come on as a substitute in the win over Nigeria.

They may have enjoyed an excellent start to their 2018 World Cup campaign, but all does not seem to well be in the Croatian camp. The European side beat Nigeria in their opening game but the action of one player has reportedly resulted in his expulsion from the squad.

That man is Nikola Kalinic, the striker who began the game against the Super Eagles on the bench. As reported by Croatian media outlet 24sata, the forward refused to come on in the second half.

Manager Zlatko Dalic decided to substitute Mario Mandzukic for the AC Milan attacker with only five minutes remaining on the clock. However, due to Kalinic's move, the Juventus ace came off for Marko Pjaca instead.

The Vatreni boss was angered by the player's snub and has thus decided to kick him out of their World Cup squad. There was even a hint from the tactician, as he revealed after Saturday's victory that his team finished the game "with a problem" despite coming out with no injury worries.

Kalinic's expulsion will leave the European side with only one forward: Mario Mandzukic. No confirmation has arrived from the Croatian FA, but an announcement is tipped to happen during their upcoming press conference.

If true, Modric and Co. will be hoping that this does not dampen their brilliant World Cup 2018 start. Led by their Man-of-the-Match Real Madrid midfielder, they moved into top spot in their group thanks to Argentina's slip-up against Iceland. La Albiceleste will be their next opponent and they should feel confident of getting a positive result.