Argentina met Croatia in their second match of Group D.
The stakes were high, but Messi and his Argentina side failed to deliver again as they succumbed to pressure in front of the Croatian side. Willy Caballero’s error proved too costly for Argentina, and Ante Rebic wasted no time in taking its advantage.
The first half was eventful with both the teams creating ample chances to score. Towards the end of the half, Croatia’s counter-attack almost resulted in the goal with only two Argentine defenders inside the box, but Rebic attempt to curl in the ball towards the top right corner went in vain.
Croatia’s goal in the second half came due to an absurd error from Argentina goalkeeper Caballero. The goalkeeper attempted to chip the ball to Mercado, but misplaced his pass. It was again Rebic at the receiving end, and this time, he made no mistake as he shot the ball past Caballero.
As the match entered the final ten minutes, Luka Modric’s emphatic shot from outside the box, which curled in from the right sealed the game for Croatia.
Towards the end of the game, Croatia grabbed a third goal, ending a night with a humiliation for Argentina. Rakitic’s shot was initially saved by Caballero, but the ball parried away to Kovacic, who simply rolls it back for Rakitic to shoot inside an empty goal to win the game 3-0.
Croatia now has six points from two game and are through to the round-of-16 of the World Cup. Things have complicated for Argentina, however, as they face a do-or-die situation against Nigeria in their final match of the group.
Here are some of the tweets from the match:
Messi… your country needs you! #ARG
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) June 21, 2018
This isn’t Messi… Ronaldo chat… I wanna see the best players on the planet in the #worldcup later stages!! https://t.co/goKa10vcSu
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) June 21, 2018
Messi knew Caballero would mess up, didn’t he? pic.twitter.com/uXRZS7lDZ8
— Jonas Giæver (@CheGiaevara) June 21, 2018
That line up looks more like Messi’s excuse than a starting XI for a must win game tbh
— Ashish (@futbolash) June 21, 2018
The Karius virus is infecting all the goalkeepers.. 😂😂pic.twitter.com/GzGrmEsHYi
— Football Stuff 🏆 (@FootbalIStuff) June 21, 2018
David De Gea: My mistake will be the worst in the World Cup this year.
Willy Caballero: Hold my beer. pic.twitter.com/dowGzRqHYk
— Sunday League Footy (@SundayChants) June 21, 2018
Good heavens, Caballero has had an absolute shocker. Poor bugger.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 21, 2018
Just like me after a few pints, Argentina let down by their Willy. #ARGCRO
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) June 21, 2018
Brilliant from Modric but in all the years of watching Argentina I can’t remember them ever having such a poor side.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 21, 2018
Live scenes outside Caballero’s house pic.twitter.com/faMzynW2Zg
— Utsav Ojha (@_thatUtsavOjha) June 21, 2018
Live scenes outside Caballero’s house pic.twitter.com/faMzynW2Zg
— Utsav Ojha (@_thatUtsavOjha) June 21, 2018
Goooooooal #ARGCRO
— Marin Cilic (@cilic_marin) June 21, 2018
The majority will make this about Messi but Sampaoli is the reason Argentina look horrendously disjointed.
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) June 21, 2018
BRO CROATIA JUST FIFA’D THEM IM DONE 😂
— The Boi (@ChuBoi) June 21, 2018
BRO CROATIA JUST FIFA’D THEM IM DONE 😂
— The Boi (@ChuBoi) June 21, 2018
3-0 Croatia. If anyone spots messi please urgently call the emergency services as he’s genuinely gone missing
— GONTH (@Gonth93) June 21, 2018
8am: Waiting for the bus to work while contemplating your life choices. #ARGCRO pic.twitter.com/HZ78HPeMgz
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) June 21, 2018
