Argentina vs Croatia: Messi may be out of World Cup in first round

Published on June 22 2018 by Ayodele Gbenga B.

Lionel Messi’s World Cup dream is now hanging by a thread as Croatia powered into the last 16 with a 3-0 triumph of Argentinian on Thursday.

Second-half goals from Ante Rebic, Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic sealed a deserved victory as a poor Argentina were left on the brink of a humiliating first round exit.

The Group D defeat means Argentina have just one point from two games, meaning they will probably have to beat Nigeria in their last game and hope other results go their way to avoid elimination.

Croatia took the lead after a blunder by Argentine goalkeeper Willy Caballero in the 53rd minute, the stopper chipping a clearance straight to Rebic who lashed home a thunderous volley

Real Madrid star Modric then produced an electrifying 80th minute goal before Messi’s Barcelona team-mate Rakitic completed the scoring after Croatia sliced apart Argentina’s defence in injury time.

With this defeat Lionel Messi dream of winning the World Cup now look remote.