Just Four Things: Argentina Vs. Croatia

Argentina Implode In Extraordinary Fashion

Here’s a stat before we delve into the details: Croatia has lost all their four previous encounters against South American opponents in the World Cup. Last night however, they not only ended that losing run, but also did it in extremely stunning circumstances. Take nothing away from Croatia, they definitely deserved this victory as we go into this later. But the way how Argentina lost this match is eye-openingly shocking.

Everything seemed palpable. It only needed one moment to open this game up. Then, Willy Cabellero provided it but gifted it to Croatia. He was looking to dink the ball over the incoming Ante Rebic. But he horribly screwed up and the ball fell to Rebic, whose technique on the volley deserves applauds. Since then, Croatia never looked troubled. Argentina failed to mount a roaring comeback, lost patience and meekly fell to defeat.

There are too many words to describe this shambolic of a performance. It was not just Cabellero’s mistake; Messi never looked like a leader, Otamendi was terrible, the midfield failed to do their job and the subs didn’t change the game. Every one of this team, especially Jorge Sampaoli, deserves to be called out. If only Enzo Perez tucked his shot into the open net in the first half…

Croatia Can Believe

This 2018 Croatia squad is the so-called ‘Golden Generation’. They have the best set of players in a long time. Luka Modric, Mandzukic, Dejan Lovren, Daniel Subasic just to name a few. Commentators say this World Cup would be the last chance for some of these players as age is catching up to them. But it seems finally, they are coming out of their shell with such brute force, the same brute force they exuded on this hapless Argentina team.

They were adventurous throughout the whole match. Their creativity was on point, setting up chances that carved open the vulnerable Argentina defence so easily and would’ve got a goal in the first half. (Although Croatia themselves had some hairy moments in defence too). Still, everyone in the team deserved plaudits for their work-rate. Mandzukic perhaps was the most relieved when he missed a point-blank diving header.

But they took their chances clinically, none more so than Luka Modric, who is as inspirational as ever, curled a powerful low shot just out of Cabellero’s reach to put the game to bed while Ivan Rakitic added more gloss to the scoreline in injury time by burying a square ball from substitute Mateo Kovacic (Who Argentina thought he was offside after collecting a loose ball from Cabellero’s save). Look up Squawka Football to see Modric and Rakitic’s stats on this match as proof of their influence. This is perhaps the best chance this generation of Croatia players has as they book their Round Of 16 ticket. They deserve to believe they can go far.

Hotter Than A Sauna

Goodness, both teams were really having a go at one another. Argentina were looking to get something from the get go, but Croatia definitely didn’t make things easier. Both sets of players really went in looking to recover possession but it’s either they didn’t win the ball, they caught the player or both. Ante Rebic was perhaps lucky he only got a yellow when he seemed to be studs up on Eduardo Salvio’s shin.

Tempers flared as time went on. Argentina was extremely frustrated when they were trailing. If it weren’t for the referee and a few cool heads, a fight would’ve broke out after Nicolas Otamendi seemingly kicking Ivan Rakitic when he was down on the floor. He can count himself lucky he didn’t get sent off too. Players were getting floored: Salvio, Rakitic, Gabriel Mercado and others in the entire match. How there was not a sending off and an injury is a miracle.

What’s Next For Argentina?

Argentina has a wealth of talent in this squad, and somehow, they all bungled it up. Jorge Sampaoli may be an animated and passionate figure on the touchline, but that strangely didn’t translate well into this soulless squad. There was no heart, no inspiration and most glaringly, no fight when things didn’t go Argentina’s way.

How on earth will they justify this kind of performance? Argentina fans were seen crying once the full-time whistle blew. But, they’re may be still in the tournament, but only depending on the Iceland/Nigeria result. A draw between those two teams will be ideal as their hopes are still in their hands. If Iceland wins their match tomorrow, the prospect of elimination looks more grimmingly likely to happen. They have to pray very hard Croatia will beat Iceland. Problem is Argentina have a bad record against Nigeria in this tournament, who they will face in their final group game

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