Croatia manhandles Messi, Argentina on their way to a division title and a spot
in the round of 16!
in the round of 16!
By: Adamo Marinelli
June 22nd, 2018
Nizhny Novgorod, Russia: Yesterday, on Thursday, June 21st, 2018, Croatia won a very much
anticipated Group D match in dominant fashion.
anticipated Group D match in dominant fashion.
A pretty uneventful first half which saw both teams exchange chances ended in a 0-0 tie and led to a
dominant second half by the Croatians.
dominant second half by the Croatians.
The first goal by Ante Rebic in the 53rd minute of the game from a blatant mistake and a terrible
giveaway by the Argentinian keeper, Wilfredo Caballero to Rebic in the penalty area gave Rebic a wide
open net to shoot at and started the scoring for Croatia after Rebic potted the shot in the top right corner
of the net. Then things just worsened for Argentina from there.
giveaway by the Argentinian keeper, Wilfredo Caballero to Rebic in the penalty area gave Rebic a wide
open net to shoot at and started the scoring for Croatia after Rebic potted the shot in the top right corner
of the net. Then things just worsened for Argentina from there.
From the first goal forward, Argentina knew if they lost this game that their chances to move on to the
round of 16 would be jeopardized. But terrible playmaking, lackluster defence and goalkeeping and with a
lack of possession time being out-possessed by Croatia 70% - 30% in the second half after Argentina had the
majority of the possession, 67% in the first 17 minutes of the first half was Argentina’s demise.
round of 16 would be jeopardized. But terrible playmaking, lackluster defence and goalkeeping and with a
lack of possession time being out-possessed by Croatia 70% - 30% in the second half after Argentina had the
majority of the possession, 67% in the first 17 minutes of the first half was Argentina’s demise.
Lionel Messi, the all-star on Argentina, hardly touched the ball at all, only 20 times in the first half and less
in the second half and his teammate Sergio Aguero from Manchester City, had only seven first-half touches,
and less in the second half. This lack of production from the Argentina superstars and the lack of ability of the
rest of the team to do very much else led to a game dominated by the Croatians.
in the second half and his teammate Sergio Aguero from Manchester City, had only seven first-half touches,
and less in the second half. This lack of production from the Argentina superstars and the lack of ability of the
rest of the team to do very much else led to a game dominated by the Croatians.
Croatia attacked early with a shot from Ivan Perisic in the fifth minute that was deflected over the net by
the fingertips of Argentina’s keeper. After that, Croatia moved the ball so well, was amazing in transition
and easily translated defensive plays into offensive opportunities. Croatia’s 4-5-1 formation fully utilizes their
excellent skills in the midfield and aides their transition game from defence to offence. And their midfield
skill was evident in this game, especially in Croatia's second goal.
the fingertips of Argentina’s keeper. After that, Croatia moved the ball so well, was amazing in transition
and easily translated defensive plays into offensive opportunities. Croatia’s 4-5-1 formation fully utilizes their
excellent skills in the midfield and aides their transition game from defence to offence. And their midfield
skill was evident in this game, especially in Croatia's second goal.
A pass from the defense up to one of the Croatia’s midfielders led to a rush up the middle of the field to
about just in front of the penalty area which in turn created a cross pass to Luka Modric who, being a
midfielder, used his powerful leg to send a beautiful strike to the bottom right corner of the net, grazing the
inside of the post to give a 2-0 lead in the 80th minute. Surely the little bit of hope Argentina fans still had,
disappeared at this point.
about just in front of the penalty area which in turn created a cross pass to Luka Modric who, being a
midfielder, used his powerful leg to send a beautiful strike to the bottom right corner of the net, grazing the
inside of the post to give a 2-0 lead in the 80th minute. Surely the little bit of hope Argentina fans still had,
disappeared at this point.
Later, in the extra time, the 91st minute, Croatia added salt to the wound from another incredible pass from
one of their midfielders which led to a shot by their striker, Mario Mandzukic, the goalkeeper couldn’t contain
the rebound which Mandzukic took to the corner. The goalie followed Mandzukic and Mandzukic found Ivan
Rakitic wide open, two feet from the net and Rakitic potted the easiest goal of his career to put Croatia up 3-0
in the last three minutes of the game.
one of their midfielders which led to a shot by their striker, Mario Mandzukic, the goalkeeper couldn’t contain
the rebound which Mandzukic took to the corner. The goalie followed Mandzukic and Mandzukic found Ivan
Rakitic wide open, two feet from the net and Rakitic potted the easiest goal of his career to put Croatia up 3-0
in the last three minutes of the game.
Croatia’s defence held up and prevented Argentina from getting a single shot, or rush up the field in the final
three minutes and went on to win the game 3-0 against one of the best teams in the 2018 World Cup by drawing
1-1 with Iceland and then getting pummelled 3-0 against Croatia.
three minutes and went on to win the game 3-0 against one of the best teams in the 2018 World Cup by drawing
1-1 with Iceland and then getting pummelled 3-0 against Croatia.
Argentina was flat out dominated by Croatia in this game and their lack of competitiveness led to their big
loss, their biggest in the group stage since their 6-1 loss to Czechoslovakia in 1958. The lack of talent and
effort by and around Messi is why Argentina failed to win their first two World Cup games in 2018.
loss, their biggest in the group stage since their 6-1 loss to Czechoslovakia in 1958. The lack of talent and
effort by and around Messi is why Argentina failed to win their first two World Cup games in 2018.
Croatia is set to win their group, Group D and move on to their first final 16 since their debut appearance in
1998 in which they placed 3rd overall in the tournament. Argentina however, will need help from their group
rivals and a few scenarios to play out if they want the slightest chance to get to the final 16 of the 2018 World
Cup.
1998 in which they placed 3rd overall in the tournament. Argentina however, will need help from their group
rivals and a few scenarios to play out if they want the slightest chance to get to the final 16 of the 2018 World
Cup.
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