Argentina Loss, but Croatia Win!
Moscow, Russia — Biggest loss for Argentina defeated by Croatia. Lionel Messi carries the hopes of 44 million people and it showed as he lined up before kick-off in their crucial World Cup match against Croatia on Thursday, with the captain rubbing his forehead with his eyes closed.
Argentina bigest loss 0-3 defeat by Croatia means Argentina’s fate in Group D is now out of their hands, they need results to go their way to stay in the competition.
Croatia ran through Argentina on Thursday, 3-0, earning a spot in the World Cup’s knockout round for just the second time as an independent nation.
A huge error by Argentine goalkeeper Willy Caballero! He absolutely flubs a pass to a defender, popping it straight up for Ante Rebic to volley into the net. Caballero absolutely gifted that one, trying to chip Rebic but making terrible contact. Rebic’s one-time shot was a bit bold, but he buries it in the corner of the net.
Modric, in contrast, put in a fine individual performance punctuated with an 80th-minute goal that resembled the sort of strike that Messi has made his hallmark. Modric received the ball on the edge of the area, took two touches, then quickly swerved to find just enough space to bend a shot past Cabellero.
Rakitic puts the finishing touch on this, burying a third goal for Croatia on a counter attack. Caballero saves Rakitic’s first effort, but it falls right to Kovacic, who plays it back to Rakitic for the easy tap-in.
Poor game for Argentina’s have failed to dent the devotion, coach blaming himself and the rest of the roster for Messi’s difficulties.
“Right now we shouldn’t compare the two players, the reality is the state of the Argentina squad clouds Leo’s brilliance,” he said of Messi and Ronaldo. “Leo is limited because the team isn’t functioning as well as it should be.”
But winning team and Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic also cautioned his squad:
“We have to be happy, we have emerged from the group. We have beaten great Argentina with the greatest player in the world, Messi,” Dalic said. “However, we have to pray to God we don’t go over the top. We have to be humble, dignified, put in a good shift as a team. No one is happier than I am, but I have to keep calm and composed, feet on the ground.”
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