Group D is now the "Group of Death"
Argentina suffers a humiliating defeat against Croatia
Their qualification hopes are still alive, following Iceland's loss
Argentina suffers a humiliating defeat against Croatia
Their qualification hopes are still alive, following Iceland's loss
Group D
Group D has seen potential favorites Argentina's hopes of qualifying take a drastic turn especially after that humiliating defeat to Croatia, which guaranteed the latter qualification into the last-16.
However, Argentina was given some hope after Nigeria managed to win against Iceland which has now set a showdown encounter for Matchday 3.
If Argentina win their game against Nigeria and Iceland fails to win their game against Croatia, then Argentina will progress as the runners-up.
If Nigeria is victorious against Argentina which is very much likely to happen, then they will progress.
If Iceland manages to win against Croatia and they score more goals than Argentina and Nigeria, then they will progress.
Basically, the teams who are still fighting for the 2nd place have to win and hope that the teams above as well as below them fail to do the same.
Matchday 2
Argentina Vs Croatia
Rebic 53'
Modric 80'
Rakitic 90'
Match Highlights
Nigeria Vs Iceland
Argentina Vs Croatia
Rebic 53'
Modric 80'
Rakitic 90'
World Cup favorites Argentina suffered a shocking and humiliating defeat as Croatia defeated them with a convincing 3-0 scoreline to confirm their place into the last-16 and become the second side to register consecutive clean sheets.
The Argentinian manager had made a host amount of changes to his side and his formation which saw Enzo Perez of all people get the role in central midfield.
With no goals in the first half, Argentina goalkeeper Willy Caballero made the most telling contribution of the game after his horrendous flicked clearance fell right into the path of Ante Rebic who volleyed Croatia to the lead.
Ante Rebic's first-time volley
None of the Argentinian players were convincing on the night, their players were defending shambolically and the forwards were getting the right service as the overall contribution from the players was terrible.
This led Croatia to take control of the game and the captain Luka Modric struck a majestic shot which was perfect enough to beat the goalkeeper and all but confirm Argentina's demise.
Luka Modric's spectacular strike
The killer blow was handed in the 90th minute when Argentina who had committed many men forward face counter-attack from Croatia and as the Argentinian defense that literally stood still in the box allowed Ivan Rakitic to comfortably walk the ball in to conclude the game.
Nigeria Vs Iceland
Musa 49', 75'
Nigeria claimed an emphatic 2-0 victory over Iceland to blow second place in Group D wide open for an intriguing Matchday 3.
Ahmed Musa who started for the first time this tournament handed his side the lead in the 49th minute through a superb volley and later doubled the lead by brilliantly rounding off the Iceland goalkeeper.
Iceland was handed a lifeline through a penalty after a VAR review, but Gylfi Sigurdsson fired over as his side failed to capitalize on elsewhere results.
This also meant joy for the Argentina camp who's world cup qualification hopes still remained intact, but in the fashion that they are playing will find it very tough to beat Nigeria who also remains in the race.
Argentina Vs Iceland
Aguero 19'
Finnbogason 23'
Lionel Messi and Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw against the debuting Iceland after the Argentinian captain missed the game's decisive penalty kick.
Argentina who started the game as favorites to win the competition got off to the perfect start through Man City striker Sergio Aguero scoring a superb goal to put his side ahead.
But Iceland who scuffed a brilliant early chance through Birkir Bjarnason found a way back just 4 minutes later through Alfred Finnbogason who scored his nation's first ever World Cup goal.
Iceland did frustrate Argentina for a large part of the game but they did get one clear-cut chance through that very Lionel Messi penalty which was saved by Hannes Halldorsson.
Iceland who was the smallest ever nation in history to participate in the World Cup was truly deserving of the result and face Nigeria next.
Messi's penalty miss
Lionel Messi's penalty miss doesn't mean the end of the world. Even though Argentina couldn't secure a win, they are still in the competition and with Croatia coming up next, they will hope that they can get the job done this time.
As for Messi, even though he is now 4 goals behind his rival Cristiano Ronaldo in the competition, he will put this result behind him and will make it essential that he delivers in his next game.
Croatia Vs Nigeria
Scorer(s)
Etebo (OG) 32'
Modric (P) 71'
Croatia took full advantage of Argentina's downfall and got off to the perfect start in Group D, with a 2-0 victory over Nigeria to ensure they move top of the group.
With the Croatian attack pressurizing the Nigerian defense, Etebo who is English club Stoke City's newest summer acquisition turned the ball into his own net.
Real Madrid's playmaker and Croatia captain Luka Modric scored a 71' minute penalty after Mario Mandzukic had been fouled to cap off a fine victory.
This victory has taken Croatia top of Group D with 3 points with a vital game against Argentina coming up. Nigeria is facing elimination if they lose their next game against Iceland.
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