Croatia rocks, Argentina rolls.
That was the story as underrated Croatia stunned Argentina 3-0 in their Group D encounter on Thursday evening.
It was all very ‘messy’ for odds-on favourites Argentina, whose star performer was once again given little chance to display his undoubted talents.
Facing a well organised and highly motivated team fabulously led by Luka Modric, the unimaginative Argentinians were unable to thread any meaningful balls through to Lionel Messi so he could add his magic touch.
As it was, the magic act was of the disappearing kind as he faded out of sight as the game evolved.
Argentina’s game plan was non-existent and they increasingly became desperate, their play more error-ridden; none more so than Willy Caballero in the blue-and-white’s goals.
He totally duffed an easy clearance and gifted Ante Ribec a chance in the 53rd minute which he gleefully and skillfully accepted with a perfect overhead volley.
The Chelsea keeper quite rightly held his head in shame, and the blunder seemed to infiltrate all the men in front of him, who went from bad to worse.
They paid again for their lethargy in the 80th minute when Modric did his own version of land expropriation and gratefully took all the space offered him before thundering the ball into the net for 2-0.
Soon after, Ivan Rakitic hit the cross bar, but in time added on the Barcelona man made the most of an Argentinian defence gone AWOL to make it 3-0.
With a draw and a loss, Argentina must now rely on favours from others to stay in the hunt.
On the positive side, Nigeria must be relishing the chance to meet them in the final Group D match.
Should they beat Argentina and Iceland, they can make the last 16 cut.
