Argentina 0-3 Croatia, RECAP score updates: Relive the action as Lionel Messi aimed to get World Cup 2018 campaign back on track with first victory of Group D

Argentina were looking to kick-start their World Cup campaign when they took on Group D leaders Croatia to round off the action on Thursday.

The two-time winners were held to a surprise draw by Iceland in their opening game and knew another failure to win would leave their chances of progressing from the group looking precarious.

Croatia meanwhile strolled to victory over Nigeria and would seal progression to the last-16 if they recorded back-to-back victories.


Relive all the action here with Sportsmail's TOM FARMERY.

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  • Tom Farmery

    Host commentator

20:52
FT: Argentina 0-3 Croatia

Argentina on the brink of going out of the World Cup. And how very poor they were tonight. It was an embarrassing display by Argentina and Jorge Sampaoli will now face the consequences. An Iceland win over Nigeria would make it extremely difficult for Argentina to qualify. Croatia were sublime. Modric and Rakitic in particular were superb. They go on. Six points out of six for them. They are through to the knockout stages. 

20:51
GOAL: Rakitic 90+1min (Argentina 0-3 Croatia)

And there you go. Mandzukic keeps cool in the penalty area to then shift the ball into the middle of the six-yard area, past Caballero, and to Rakitic who drilled the ball into the open net. It caps a display of composure and confidence. 

20:43
Otamendi shown a yellow card...

84min: And it's for kicking the ball into the face of Rakitic after the Barcelona man had been fouled and was on the ground. Not a wise move from the Manchester City defender.

20:39
GOAL: Modric 80min (Argentina 0-2 Croatia)

Wow. What a strike. Modric only needed a single touch to set himself before shaking off Otamendi and striking right-footed into the bottom left corner from 25 yards out. An excellent strike and one that will probably be the winner.

20:36
Just under 15 minutes to go...

76min: The tension has been ramped up and the Argentina fans continue to back their side loudly. Croatia must keep their concentration. Rakitic is back on the pitch after receiving treatment. Argentina are now having plenty of possession but haven't been able to frequently make forward passes. That has caused their attack to be very difficult to find. 

20:30
Super stat

71min: Messi's first touch in the opposition half this game finally came in the 64th minute. That's right, it has taken him 64 minutes to get on the ball in the Croatia. That is bonkers. His support has been so, so bad tonight. What a mess.

20:27
Dybala makes his entrance...

68min: The Juventus forward replaces Enzo Perez. That was Argentina's third and final substitution. They've moved their backline forward to try and give themselves more support in Croatia's half. So far it hasn't worked. 

It has been a frustrating night for Messi
Maradona continues to believe his country can do it
20:25
Mandzukic into the side netting

66min: Superb ball into the Argentina box yet again by Rakitic (pick between him and Modric for man of the match). It reaches Mandzukic, who hits the ball first time but goes the wrong side of Caballero's post. 

Vrsaljko is then booked for a foul on Acuna. Croatia still controlling this game.

20:22
So close...

64min: Argentina so nearly level. Meza's shot was saved by Subasic before Messi's follow up was blocked by his Barcelona team-mate Rakitic. The noise level inside the stadium rises and with 25 minutes to play there is no clue what could happen. Brace yourselves.

20:20
The time is now...

61min: Argentina's fans are looking at each other in the stands wondering what they are witnessing tonight. Their side as of yet haven't been impressive. They have been poor. They've struggled to involve their best players such as Messi and Aguero. Keeping possession continues to be a problem, too. It is going to take a Messi-inspired performance to get them out of trouble now.

20:14
Croatia well on top

57min: They've grown in confidence since that goal and Argentina should be worried. Ivan Perisic has been brilliant tonight and he continues to shine. One player who hasn't is Salvio, who is subject of Argentina's first sub, and comes off for Pavon. Higuain on also for Aguero.

There has also been a Croatia change. Rebic, who is clearly injured, is replaced by Kramaric.

A sweet connection from Rebic
20:11
GOAL: Rebic 54min (Argentina 0-1 Croatia

A sublime volley by Rebic but he should never have scored. Caballero, the Chelsea goalkeeper, was well out of position in the Argentina goal and had no chance of making a save. He could only watch as the ball flew past him into the top corner. Argentina need an almighty response now.

20:10
Mercado with the second yellow card of the game

And it really was a cynical one on Perisic.

20:08
Much more intensity from Argentina...

49min: I mean it couldn't really get any worse than the first half. A half in which Messi didn't have one touch of the ball in Croatia's half. That was how bad it was for Argentina. They appear a little quicker to the ball at the start of this second half. That is encouraging for them and also the neutrals watching this one. 

20:04
Second half underway...
19:53
They just can't on the ball...
19:48
HT: Argentina 0-0 Croatia

Croatia edged that. They have organised themselves so well in midfield and haven't stopped looking for ways to break forward. Perisic, Modric and Rakitic have all done excellent. Compare their performance then to that of Aguero, Messi and Perez. They've barely touched the ball and when they have very little has come of it.

19:48
A brilliant chance that Croatia yet again waste

45+2min: Modric has had a brilliant first half and nearly set up team-mates Rebic to score in the dying seconds. He played an excellent ball across the pitch, right to left, but Rebic's first touch was poor. He managed to cut inside but his effort went well over the bar.

19:46
Two minutes stoppage time
19:45
This hasn't been, should we say, inspiring...

45min: Reaching the end of the first half and it hasn't been brilliant. A couple of half chances but nothing to suggest either side should come away from this victorious. A point would suit Croatia but it certainly would not be good enough for Argentina. They've played at a low tempo throughout most of the first half. Croatia have been sensible in midfield and have moved the ball well.

Argentina's Gabriel Mercado, bottom, and Croatia's Ante Rebic collide after going for the ball
19:40
First yellow card of the match

39min: Rebic is shown the first yellow card of the game after a stamp on Salvio. Jorge Sampaoli wanted the referee to take a further look using VAR to possibly upgrade the yellow card to a red. Rebic has to make do with a yellow.

19:35
Massive chance for Mandzukic and he can't score...

34min: A fantastic ball came over the top by Perisic. Rebic, in an offside position moved out of the way, and there was Mandzukic running into an area at the far post to meet the ball. He met it with good timing but his headed finish was poor and wide. The best chance of the game so far and it's gone Croatia's way. 

19:31
It gets worse... what a miss by Perez

30min: Mix up in the Croatia defence, Lovren and goalkeeper Subasic culpable, leaves Perez with an open goal to shoot at. Unfortunately for him and Argentina he gets his feet all wrong and directs the ball wide of the goal. 

Messi has endured a tough first half
19:29
Oh dear oh dear... not how you should take a corner, Meza

28min: I'm not exactly sure what Meza, the Argentina winger, thought he was doing. He took charge of a corner on the far side. His run up to the ball looked shallow and that translated into his kick. It got barely any height and crashed into the side netting. How very poor. Such a waste.

19:25
Modric becoming more important as this first half goes on

23min: The Real Madrid playmaker is getting more and more time on the ball as Argentina start to retreat. Rakitic is never too far behind Modric and it's giving them plenty of confidence, Croatia, when starting an attack. They are the ones who look more likely to create a goalscoring opportunity. Argentina have done precious little.

19:22
Farcical defending

20min: Caballero and Tagliafico have a major miscommunication. It was a poor backpass by Tagliafico and it never reached the Argentina goalkeeper. It was so nearly pounced on by Modric. Had he been a little quicker to the ball we might be talking about a goal for Croatia.

19:16
First 15 minutes of action in pictures...

plus Maradona with a typical Maradona pose.

Maradona watches on during the first half
Perisic takes the ball forward for Croatia
Argentina goalkeeper Wilfredo Caballero, right, makes a save from Perisic
Argentina's Lionel Messi, right, and Croatia's Marcelo Brozovic, left
19:13
Half chance for Messi

12min: Six or so yards out but it would have taken some effort for Messi to convert. He attempted to adjust his body as the ball flashed into the Croatia penalty area but Messi couldn't swivel in time to direct the ball goalwards. Argentina still doing a lot to involve him.

19:12
Rakitic impressing

8min: Rakitic has done exceptionally well so far. He's orchestrating every attack. The most recent nearly resulted in a goal. He clipped a pass over to the right for Vrsaljko. The right back then fed the ball into the box but Rebic couldn't get clean enough contact on the ball before it was cleared. Argentina struggling to pick Rakitic up from deep.

19:06
Big chance for Perisic

5min: Perisic, just as he likes to do, storms down the left before edging into the Argentina box. Mercado attempted to stop him getting a shot away but Perisic was too quick for him but thankfully for Argentina Cabellero got down and made a save to his bottom left. Sharp goalkeeping.

19:03
Argentina settling well

3min: Croatia can't get out of their own half currently. Argentina are pressing them high and trying to find Messi every time they get the ball. When it comes back to the three-man central defence they are skillful enough to recycle possession and get the ball into an attacking area quickly.

Diego Maradona in the stands
19:00
Croatia get us started...
18:58
Teams are out...

Let's get ready for this then. Both sides are out on the pitch and both national anthems have finished.

It's time for some football. I'm thinking a slim Argentina victory but Croatia will do their best to frustrate them as well as isolate Messi.

The stage is set for Argentina v Croatia
18:42
Ian Herbert is in Nizhny Novgorod where Messi is the one everyone is focusing on

He writes: 'About 60 per cent of entire Argentine fan base were wearing Messi shirts on this city today. And at the top of the ground this banner of the one who wears Maradona’s mantle.'

Ian also sends us this picture. The Messi love is real. 

Two of the game's greats...
18:33
The notion Argentina are reliant on Messi... it's true

Messi had 11 shots in Argentina's draw against Iceland. That's his most ever in a World Cup match. He is without a goal in his last five games, too.

18:28
Super stat

Although I'm not sure Croatia will be too worried, it is indeed worth noting.

18:23
Croatia team news: Kramaric and Kovacic miss out

Croatia starting XI: Subasic, Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic, Rakitic, Brozovic, Rebic, Modric, Perisic, Mandzukic

Subs: Livakovic, Corluka, Kovacic, Kramaric, Jedvaj, Bradaric, Caleta-Car, Badelj, Pjaca, Pivaric, Nikola Kalinic, Lovre Kalinic

18:21
Argentina team news: Messi and Aguero start

Argentina starting XI: Caballero, Mercado, Otamendi, Tagliafico, Salvio, Mascherano, Perez, Acuna, Messi, Aguero, Meza

Subs: Guzman, Ansaldi, Biglia, Fazio, Banega, Higuain, Di Maria, Rojo, Lo Celso, Dybala, Pavon, Armani

18:20
The atmosphere building in Nizhny Novgorod... team news to follow
Argentina fans inside the stadium
One supporter with his Argentina flag ahead of kick-off
A couple of Croatia fans getting ready for the big kick-off
18:04
Maradona isn't holding back...

Jorge Sampaoli is under mounting pressure by one man in particular. Diego Maradona doesn't hold back at the best of times, and he labelled the draw against Iceland as a 'disgrace'. 

Maradona has also said Sampaoli 'can't come back to Argentina' playing like that.

'I get the feeling there's an anger at the heart of the team,' he added.

It does seem that Argentina can not draw again. Huge expectation has been placed on them to deliver tonight.

17:44
Chris Sutton's verdict

It's the game of the day and Sportsmail's Chris Sutton has given his opinion on how he expects the game to unfold.

He writes: 'This game promises to be one of the best in the group stage. Argentina how so much talent but both in qualifying and against Iceland it has not yet clicked for Jorge Sampaoli. I can still see some Messi magic deciding this, though.'

Predicted result: Argentina 2-1 Croatia 

17:28
Very colourful in Nizhny Novgorod

Perfect sunshine, plenty of colour and the anticipation of an important World Cup group game.

The fans continue to enjoy the carnival atmosphere that this tournament keeps on producing.

Argentina fans are getting ready for tonight's match
One fan didn't hold back in his fancy dress effort
The Croatian fans are hoping their side can stay top of Group D
17:19
Good afternoon and welcome to today's coverage

It is getting close to crunch time in Group D and Croatia are in control.

Argentina, following their 1-1 draw against Iceland in their opening game, desperately need to find a spark.

It's clear so much pressure has been placed on Lionel Messi. His missed penalty against Iceland was disappointing. No one will want redemption more than him.

Let's see if he and his team-mates can move top of Group D with a win over Croatia.

Stay with me for all of the build-up and live action once kick-off arrives at 7pm (BST).