FIFA World Cup
World Cup 2018: Group D Recap, Argentina Miraculously Advances With Croatia
Marcos Rojos scored on a formidable volley in the 86th minute that helped Lionel Messi and Argentina escaped elimination from the World Cup by defeating Nigeria, 2-1.
In addition, Messi scored his first goal in the tournament and what a beauty of a goal it was. However, the Nigerian side hit the equalizer from the penalty box after a Javier Mascherano charge on a Nigerian forward. With it, Argentina’s four-year campaign and Messi’s efforts to win his first World Cup were dissipating. And then came Rojo and his magnificent goal that saved them all.
“We needed it,” Rojo said after the celebration. “Now the Cup starts for us. I had told the boys I was going to score a goal.”
Combined with Iceland’s 2-1 defeat to first-place Croatia, Argentina finishes second in Group G while the Croats take the lead and will play Denmark in the Round of 16.
Argentina avoided what could have been a nightmarish end not only for the Albiceleste but mostly for Messi. Messi who is now 31 and is probably looking at his last participation in a World Cup.
Argentina will now face France who are the winners of Group C on Saturday.
Congratulations to Iceland. They play formidably at times and were the feel-good-story. Unfortunately, their run ended in Group stages.
Team Profiles:
Croatia (3-0-0, 9 points)
- Results: Croatia crushed all its competition having beaten Nigeria, 2-0; Argentina, 3-0 and Iceland, 1-2.
- Notable: Croatia’s best finish in a World Cup came in 1998 when they finished third. However, this is the first since that occasion that this team is plagued with quality players playing all around the world.
- Player to watch: Luka Modric continues to be the player that marks the difference for this team. He’s without a doubt the captain that will lead them far in this tournament, perhaps into the semifinals.
Argentina: (1-1-1, 4 points)
- Results: Argentina started the tournament poorly after drawing a 1-1 against newcomers Iceland, losing horribly to Croatia 3-0 and then picking up the slack by defeating Nigeria 2-1.
- Notable: Argentina is the current runner ups of Brazil 2010 where they lost to Germany in the finals. However, Argentina is looking to make history once again led by the hand of Messi. Lots has been said about finishing second in the group. However, Germany (1954 and 1974), Argentina (1978) and Italy (1982) finished second and went on to win the World Cup.
- Player to watch: Messi, there is nothing more to say about the best in the world. History will dictate his remarkable story and career.
