This Argentina team looked a shadow of the great teams of the past. Even Lionel Messi could not muster up some magic in a game where Croatia looked like the real deal. Modric was the big name player for Croatia going into the World Cup 2018 but several national heroes have emerged after two very impressive performances to take them through to the Round of 16.
Messi fails to score again
Messi was one of the clear favourites for the Golden Boot but he now faces the prospect of going home without getting on the scoresheet. Barcelona’s star player looked completely out of sorts against a very strong looking Croatia. The nature of the first goal they conceded was perhaps too much to take, as a poor back pass to the goalkeeper resulted in Caballero’s failed chip that gifted Rebic with an easy goal. The Argentina goalkeeper understandably held his head in his hands after the mistake and this gave Croatia the impetus to go on and dominate the game.
Lionel Messi and Argentina are on the brink of elimination from the World Cup after a 3-0 loss to Croatia https://t.co/k6jq2IxVXQ pic.twitter.com/bbJlWDZbkM
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) June 21, 2018
Unhappy Aguero substituted
Argentina never looked they got out of first gear. Aguero looked unhappy to be substituted in the 54th minute for Higuain who failed to get his team back in the game. Modric showed the world why he is so important to Real Madrid with a wonderful piece of skill to beat Caballero. Rakitic was the next Croatia star to get in on the act with a finely taken goal in injury time.
Croatia march into the next round
At the final whistle, Croatia players celebrated in front of their fans, knowing that they had done enough to go through to the next round before playing their third group game. Argentina on the other hand, will be asking a lot of questions about how they failed so abysmally. Messi would probably have liked to retire from international football on the back of a good World Cup but this would leave a bitter taste if he decides to retire after this poor campaign.
Croatia now have the luxury of being able to rest some players in their game against Iceland, as they look forward to the next round. If Iceland beat Nigeria today then Argentina will most certainly be going home after their last group game.
