Dejan Lovren boosted his chances of a World Cup start against hosts Brazil by helping Croatia keep a clean sheet yesterday.

In their final warm-up friendly ahead of Thursday’s clash with Neymar and co, Lovren played the full 90 minutes of a 1-0 victory over Australia.

The only goal came from Hull striker Nicika Jelavic in the second half of a friendly played in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil.

Lovren had been left out of the previous week’s friendly win over Mali, with Gordon Schildenfeld and ex-Tottenham man Vedran Corluka preferred in central defence.

But, against Australia, Lovren partnered Domagoj Vida.