Argentina are on the verge of being sensationally knocked out during the group stage of the 2018 World Cup following a 3-0 defeat to Croatia.
Both sides started off the game looking dangerous in attack and awful in defence.
There were defensive mistakes left, right and centre in the first half – leading to some incredible chances for both sides.
Enzo Perez found himself with an open goal after some miscommunication in Croatia’s box, but somehow hit the ball wide.
Then almost immediately after Mario Mandzukic had a header from point-blank range and somehow managed to direct it away from goal.
The intensity was also high and there was no love lost between the two sides.
There were many late challenges that were rough in the first half – but just the one yellow card.
Ante Rebic’s studs up foul saw him get the card – but it easily could have been a red.
It was perhaps the feistiest first half of football we have seen so far this World Cup, and it ended scoreless.
The defensive frailties of both sides were further highlighted in the second half – but it was Argentina who was punished.
An awful pass from keeper Willy Caballero gifted Rebic a goal to put Croatia in the lead.
From there Argentina were in desperation mode, with the manager brining on Gonzalo Higuain and Crisitan Pavon in a bid to get a goal back.
He then also brought on Paulo Dybala as Argentina looked to utilise all of their attacking talent in a desperate attempt to get something out of the game.
However it was Croatia that had the moment of magic, as a stunning Luka Modric strike put the Croats ahead by two with less than ten minutes left in the game.
It soon reached boiling point, with Argentina’s Nicolas Otamendi kicking the ball into Ivan Rakitic and started a melee.
Otamendi was lucky to escape with a yellow although there could be retrospective punishment coming his way.
In the end Argentina could not get anything out of the game and their fate in this World Cup is well and truly out of their hands.
While Croatia added salt in the wound with a late third goal for Rakitic.
Full time
Argentina 0
Croatia 3
Argentina are looking to put a disappointing result behind as they search for their first win of the 2018 World Cup against Croatia. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 4am AEST.
Argentina entered the competition tipped to go a long way.
However, their first game against Iceland showed that they may struggle to get out of the group stage – let alone be a contender to win the tournament.
Sergio Aguero opening the score for Argentina but some sloppy defending allowed Iceland to level moments later.
Lionel Messi had 11 shots at goal but failed to convert any of his chances as they a drew a game everyone expected them to win.
With Cristiano Ronaldo setting the cup on fire with four goals in two games, there seems to be more pressure on Messi to carry his team and prove he can perform on an international stage.
He will be the key man for Argentina – like he always is.
Croatia will go into the match full of confidence, coming off a 2-nil win over Nigeria in their opening fixture.
It took an own-goal and a Luka Modric penalty to seal the points for the Croats but they aren’t short on attacking threats.
The towering presence of Marko Madzukic will be looking to give an ageing Argentinian defence a lot of trouble.
Prediction
Croatia arguably have the stronger side and are on form, but Argentina have Lionel Messi who can change any game at a moments notice. They need him to find form if they are to get anything out of this one.
Argentina 1 -1 Croatia
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 4am AEST.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this live blog, we look forward to seeing you all again soon!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Both sides started off the game looking dangerous in attack and awful in defence. There were defensive mistakes left, right and centre in the first half - leading to some incredible chances for both sides. Enzo Perez found himself with an open goal after some miscommunication in Croatia's box, but somehow hit the ball wide. Then almost immediately after Mario Mandzukic had a header from point-blank range and somehow managed to direct it away from goal. The intensity was also high and there was no love lost between the two sides. There were many late challenges that were rough in the first half - but just the one yellow card. Ante Rebic's studs up foul saw him get the card - but it easily could have been a red. It was perhaps the feistiest first half of football we have seen so far this World Cup, and it ended scoreless. The defensive frailties of both sides were further highlighted in the second half - but it was Argentina who was punished. An awful pass from keeper Willy Caballero gifted Rebic a goal to put Croatia in the lead. From there Argentina were in desperation mode, with the manager brining on Gonzalo Higuain and Crisitan Pavon in a bid to get a goal back. He then also brought on Paulo Dybala as Argentina looked to utilise all of their attacking talent in a desperate attempt to get something out of the game. However it was Croatia that had the moment of magic, as a stunning Luka Modric strike put the Croats ahead by two with less than ten minutes left in the game. It soon reached boiling point, with Argentina's Nicolas Otamendi kicking the ball into Ivan Rakitic and started a melee. Otamendi was lucky to escape with a yellow although there could be retrospective punishment coming his way. In the end Argentina could not get anything out of the game and their fate in this World Cup is well and truly out of their hands. While Croatia added salt in the wound with a late third goal for Rakitic. Full time Argentina 0 Croatia 3
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+4' - It's all over. ARGENTINA 0 CROATIA 3
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+3' - It has gotten embarrassing for Argentina. Brozovic gets yellow carded and will miss the Iceland game. ARGENTINA 0 CROATIA 3
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+1' - GOAL CROATIA Argentina piling bodies forward and they paid the price for it! A counter attack saw Rakitic get a shot away - it was blocked towards Kovacic who squared the ball across back to Rakitic. All he had to do was pass the ball into an open goal. ARGENTINA 0 CROATIA 3
Kurt
Guest
Wow, this is a serious disintegration from Argentina. Kind of fun to watch.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+1' - Four minutes of time added on. ARGENTINA 0 CROATIA 2
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90' - Meza finds space in the box to shoot but it's blocked. ARGENTINA 0 CROATIA 2
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
88' - It's another yellow - this time for Acuna. ARGENTINA 0 CROATIA 2
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
86' - Rakitic's free kick hits the crossbar and the follow up header is over the bar! NEARLY THREE! ARGENTINA 0 CROATIA 2
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
85' - It's boiling point. Otamendi kicks the ball into Rakitic and starts a fight - he gets a yellow card. Lucky to still be on the pitch. ARGENTINA 0 CROATIA 2
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
83' - Heartbreak for Argentina. Their fans are not happy. Messi is frustrated - he will get criticised but it really is the poor defending that's at fault. Both against Croatia and Iceland. ARGENTINA 0 CROATIA 2
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
81' - GOAL CROATIA What a gaol by Luka Modric! He finds space and fires one past the keeper! Argentina's fate is really no longer in their hands bar a miracle comeback - while Croatia can taste the Round of 16! ARGENTINA 0 CROATIA 2
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
79' - Dybala's cross is poor - right at the keeper. ARGENTINA 0 CROATIA 1
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
79' - Argentina are throwing everyone forward. They are desperate. ARGENTINA 0 CROATIA 1
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
76' - Rakitic went down some time ago on a very soft challenge and has stayed down. The referee was forced to stop play after Argentina refused to stop. It's antics like this that ruin football. Disgraceful behaviour from Rakitic. ARGENTINA 0 CROATIA 1
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
74' - Acuna puts a good ball into the box but no one is in there to get on the end of it. ARGENTINA 0 CROATIA 1
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
73' - Another defensive mistake nearly gifts Croatia another goal but this time Argentina get away with it ARGENTINA 0 CROATIA 1
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
71' - Dybaba curls one towards goal but it goes over the bar. ARGENTINA 0 CROATIA 1
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
68' - Dybala comes on for Argentina. He replaces Perez ARGENTINA 0 CROATIA 1