After Lionel Messi ‘s disappointing start to the World Cup, Argentina are facing a difficult challenge against Group C pace-setters Croatia .
Despite Messi’s penalty being saved by Iceland goalie Hannes Halldórsson, the Argentines are coming in to this game with even more fire than anticipated.
Jorge Sampaoli’s men must beat Croatia if they want to secure a spot in the knock-out stages. But with Croatia on a high after an easy 2-0 victory over Nigeria, the Argentines must come prepared.
There is a chance that Croatia could turn out to be the real underdogs of the tournament, but only time will tell.
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2018-06-21T20:07:29.383Z
Thanks for sticking with us today, we'll be back tomorrow in what promises to be yet another surprising day of the 2018 World Cup
We'll see you then
2018-06-21T20:05:36.000Z
What a day! Argentina are on the brink of elimination, Croatia are through and all eyes are on Nigeria vs Iceland tomorrow
France did the job against Peru, qualifying for the last 16 and sending the South American side home in the process
Australia kept there World Cup alive with a 1-1 draw with Denmark
2018-06-21T19:54:06.566Z
FULL TIME: Argentina 0 - 3 Croatia
Croatia are through to the last 16, this is the first time they have recorded back to back wins in a World Cup since 1998
Argentina where very poor, they got bullied in mid-field and had no plan and as a result are on the verge of World Cup elimination
2018-06-21T19:50:22.173Z
90+1 min: GOAL! (Argentina 0 - 3 Croatia - Rakitic)
Croatia on the break Caballero saves the first attempt but it bounces to Kovacic who gives it back to Rakitic infront of an open goal
2018-06-21T19:48:28.690Z 90 min: Meza has a shot blocked and Croatia are on the break
2018-06-21T19:47:53.220Z
88 min: Croatia look to be enjoying themselves now, they take three shots in a but none of them are anywhere near
2018-06-21T19:44:14.056Z
85 min: Free kick for Croatia, Rakitic takes it and he hits the crossbar!
2018-06-21T19:42:50.270Z
84 min: It's all kicking off now, Otamendi gets a yellow card for kicking the ball at Rakitic, that's terrible play from him
2018-06-21T19:39:38.566Z
80 min: GOAL! (Argentina 0 - 2 Croatia - Modric)
That's it! Surely that's the winner! Modric gets the ball on the edge of Argentina's area, he gives himself a yard fires it
It curls back just inside of the post, quality stuff from Modric
2018-06-21T19:37:38.376Z
79 min: Caballero kicks the ball forward but Croatia win it back, Rakitic takes a shot... it's blocked!
2018-06-21T19:35:20.690Z
75 min: Rakitic goes down in what is another fake attempt at an injury, no he's back up and sprinting again, that's a surprise
2018-06-21T19:31:51.350Z
73 min: Acuna whips a ball into the box and there's no-one there, this is very poor from Argentina
2018-06-21T19:29:28.433Z
70 min: Dybala finds himself in some space and hits a left footed shot over the bar
2018-06-21T19:27:08.583Z
69 min: Argentina are pressing really high now, but that leaves Croatia able to counter quickly
2018-06-21T19:24:00.133Z
65 min: Rakitic chips the ball to Vrsaljko who dinks it Mandzukic and the striker's shot finds the side netting
2018-06-21T19:23:06.126Z
64 min: Vida makes a great last ditch tackle and the ball goes forward with Croatia again
2018-06-21T19:22:07.403Z
63 min: GREAT SAVE! Higuain gets in behind the defence, pulls it back to Meza whose shot is stopped by a quick save from Subasic
2018-06-21T19:19:41.056Z
61 min: Argentina trying to make something happen now, they are pressing high
2018-06-21T19:17:41.450Z
58 min: Higuain and Pavon are on the field for Aguero and Salvio and Kramaric has replaced the goalscorer Rebic who's gone off injured
2018-06-21T19:16:04.390Z
57 min: Yellow card for Mandzukic as he mistimes a lunge on Meza
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What time is it? Argentina vs Croatia kicks off at 8pm.
Where can I watch it? The game will be shown live on BBC One.
Odds Argentina: EVS
Croatia: 3/1
Draw: 12/5
Prediction
Argentina 1 – 2 Croatia. While Argentina are a World Cup favourite, relying on Messi just might not be enough. With Croatia’s gumption and confidence, they have a standing chance to secure their spot. The tournament dark horses might surprise us all.
