Croatia humiliated Argentina to a disgraceful 3–0 to qualify for the second round of 2018 World Cup having defeated Super Eagle with a minimal margin of 2–0.
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Lionel Messi was virtually non-existent as he was unable to perform his usual magic as goal merchant throughout the duration of the match.
The first goal came through a poor pass from the Argentine goal keeper to a defender 53 minutes of the game. Croatia’s Ante Rebic took advantage of the defence negligent to fire a shot into an empty net.
The second goal for Croatia came from Luka Modric 80th minute into the game. He launched a beautiful right-footed effort outside eighteen box that curls around Taglifice into the net.
Croatia wheel away in wild celebration; halfway up the field, Lionel Messi stares with misery at the turf. Argentina are heading for defeat.
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From the corner down the other end of the field, Rakitic, Kovacic and Mandzukic break down the middle of the park with a leisurely pace 90 minute.
It’s Rakitic who puts the first shot on Caballero, saved by the keeper – but the ball deflects back to Kovacic who simply squares it back to the Barcelona man to clip home. What a showing from Croatia!
Messi cut an isolated figure throughout and was unable to rouse his side in the closing stages, leaving them in danger of needing a win and a swing in goal difference to reach the knockout stages.
Argentina’s poor performance on Thursday is an opportunity for Nigeria’s Super Eagle to defeat Iceland on Friday with a wide margin to qualify for the second round.
Line-ups
Argentina XI: Caballero; Tagliafico, Otamendi, Mercado; Acuna, Mascherano, E. Perez, Salvio; Meza, Aguero, Messi.
Subs: Guzman, Armani, Ansaldi, Biglia, Fazio, Banega, Higuain, Di Maria, Rojo, Lo Celso, Dybala, Pavon.
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Croatia XI: Subasic; Vrsaljko, Strinic, Lovren, Vida; Perisic, Rakitic, Modric (C), Brozovic; Mandzukic, Rebic.
Subs: Livakovic, L. Kalinic, Corluka, Kovacic, Kramaric, Jedvaj, Bradaric, Caleta-Car, Badelj, Pjaca, Pivaric.
LATEST RESULTS FOR TODAY, JUNE 21, 2018
DENMARK 1 AUSTRALIA 1
CROATIA 3 ARGENTINE 0
FRANCE 1 PERU 0
www.sojworld.com © June 21, 2018
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