Lionel Messi, Argentina face World Cup elimination following Croatia loss

Argentina’s fate at the 2018 FIFA World Cup may be out of their hands after they lost 3-0 to Croatia on Thursday.

Karzan Sulaivany 2018/06/21 19:50

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ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Argentina’s fate at the 2018 FIFA World Cup may be out of their hands after they lost 3-0 to Croatia on Thursday.

After a goalless first-half, it was Croatia who took the lead on 53 minutes following a calamitous error by Argentine goalkeeper Willy Caballero.

His poor clearance attempt bobbled to Croatia’s Ante Rebic who made no mistake with the finish. It was a case of zero to hero for Caballero who made a fine save to deny Croatia earlier in the match.

Luka Modric added a second with 10 minutes remaining in the match with a thunderbolt from 20 yards out before Ivan Rakitic scored Croatia’s third in stoppage time.

Argentina now faces a sticky situation regarding their progression in the tournament as Iceland takes on Nigeria on Friday, a match that could end the South American’s hopes of the round of 16 if Iceland win.

It all goes down to the wire in Group D on June 26 as Argentina plays Nigeria in their last match while Croatia faces Iceland.

Croatia's midfielder Luka Modric celebrates after scoring their second goal during the 2018 World Cup Group D football match between Argentina and Croatia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, on June 21, 2018. (Photo: AFP/Johannes Eisele)

Elsewhere in Group C action, Denmark and Australia drew 1-1. The Danes opened the score through a thumping Christian Eriksen volley in the seventh minute before Australia pulled one back in the 38th from the penalty spot.

The controversial Video Assistant Referee (VAR), which is making its maiden appearance at the tournament, was used again to confirm that Denmark’s Yussuf Poulsen had handled the ball in the box.

The referee showed Poulsen a yellow card, and the ensuing penalty put away emphatically by Australian captain Mile Jedinak.

Denmark's midfielder Christian Eriksen (right) celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the 2018 World Cup Group C football match between Denmark and Australia at the Samara Arena in Samara, Russia, on June 21, 2018. (Photo: AFP/Emmanuel Dunand)

France, meanwhile, booked their place in the last 16 of the tournament after a 1-0 win against Peru.

Forward Kylian Mbappe scored the only goal of the match in the 34th minute, becoming France’s youngest World Cup goalscorer in the process at 19-years-old.

France plays Denmark in the final round of Group C matches on June 26 while Australia takes on Peru.

France's forward Kylian Mbappe (right) celebrates his goal with France's forward Antoine Griezmann during the 2018 World Cup Group C football match between France and Peru at the Ekaterinburg Arena in Ekaterinburg, Russia, on June 21, 2018. (Photo: AFP/Jorge Guerrero)

The 2018 FIFA World Cup takes place between June 14 and July 15 with 32 teams from five different confederations competing.

So far, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and Peru have been eliminated from the tournament.

The nations who have advanced to the round of 16 are Russia, Uruguay, France, and Croatia.