Croatia 3 (Rebic, Modric, Kovacic): Argentina 0
Listless Argentina was bruised, battered, humbled, humiliated, shocked and awed by creative Croats.
World cup dream of great Messi with him Argentine fans all over the world is all but over. With only one point from two matches they are very close to the exit door. On a match when lot was expected of Messi, Aguero and Higuain they were completely over shadowed by sizzling Croats. Argentina was non existent in the mid field , deep defense made mess of it and goal keeping was terribly poor .Fleet footed Croats harassed them in all possible manner . Their world cup 2018 will be buried if Iceland win tomorrow. We are not sure these Argentines can even win against Nigeria who hammered them 4-2 in not too distant past. The expression of great Diego Maradona in the stand said it all.
The modern generation of football fans watching Messi of Barcelona and viewing Videos of great Maradona fancy Argentina. But Messi of Argentina and Messi of Barcelona are two different pieces of cake. Barcelona mates assist the great creating space for him. In the present Argentina team there is none to do that. He himself is not Christiano Ronaldo carving his own way. Moreover, this team appears not to have recovered from the hard toil of qualifying round and the trial and errors of pre tournament warm up matches. Today the lost to far better organized team of top quality players. Justice done in 3-0 win of Croatia. Could be wider margin.
The Match:
The match was played at sizzling pace with both teams throwing their punches whenever opportunities came their way. But Croatia looked better organized and they threatened shaky Argentine defence with precise passes through the centre. And surging attacks from the wings. Both teams got opportunities for putting their nose inform in the evenly shared first half. But failed to capitalize. Messi however was not in business much. His mates could neither feed him with good passes nor create space for him. Ice was not broken in the first half .But Argentina was lokking shaky and nervous towards the end.
Croats appeared to regroup better during lemon time. Coming back with fresh ideas they shot into the lead putting thorn in Argentines heart. 53 rd minute into the match Rebic put Croats ahead from a terribly poor goal keeping mistake of Caballero. Marcedo back passed him. He mistimed his kick placing it to the Croatian winger who volleyed it to the top right corner of the net (1-0).
This goal ignited the match further. Argentina put extra energy and efforts. But this created more open space for Croats in Argentine defence.
80th minute of the match saw Croat legend Luka Modric scoring a sensational goal doubling the margin (2-0) . It was pure class from the Real Madrid striker. Bronzovic sent a square pass to him from the right. Modric unleashed a thunderous right footer that curled around Tagliafico before crushing into the net. Crotia were seen wheeling away in wild celebration. Poor Messi was seen looking hopelessly.
However, Argentina had no option but to go all out. There was no point sitting back. But this aggression widened the gaping hone in their defense. Dybela came when everything was almost lost
From a corner Raketic, Kovacic and Mandukic broke down the middle with crisp passes. Rakitic struck at the goal which Argentina keeper could only clear to the feet of Kovacic. He simply squared it to Rakitic. The Barcelona man simply tapped it home (3-0). Hopes of Argentina was almost buried, dreams of Messi was dashed. Argentina after two of three group matches is looking down the barrel.
We think looking back in retrospect Argentina in too matches could not do justice to their name and fame. It never played as a team. One Messi could not do everything. He looked shadow of his self. His mates could not assist him at all; neither he himself could show his magic.
We know it will be extremely difficult for Argentine fans in Bangladesh and elsewhere to digest this defeat and ultimate knocking out of their favorite team.
For Croatia it is very heartening that their golden generation are looking great at last. They are assured of group 16 whatever may happen in the last matches of the group. The way they played it won’t be any surprise if they go deeper.
BDST: 1021 HRS, JUN 22, 2018
SI
