WORLD CUP: Messi’s Argentina left fighting for life after Croatia maul

The two time World Cup champions Argentina were left teetering on the verge of World Cup exit on Thursday after being taught a football lesson by Croatia in their second group D game at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.

Prior to the Russia World Cup, Argentina was among the favorites to lift the trophy but things have since turned around and Thursday evening was no exception.

The South American woes started off with a goalkeeper Willy Caballero’s schoolboy mistake when he attempted to a chip over Ante Rebic only for the striker to volley the ball into an almost empty net for the opener only 53 minutes after kickoff.

The five time FIFA Ballon d Or winner could not be seen anywhere on the day he was required most as the 1986 and 1978 champions struggled to break Croatia’s back but all in vain.

For tactician Joge Sampaoli, the only thing he was left with was moving all over the coaching staff area the entire minutes in disbelief of what had happened to his team.

Meanwhile, two more goals from skipper Luka Modric’s magnificent strike and Ivan Rakitic’s tap in the 80th and 90th minute respectively continued to put Argentina on the Croatians’ guillotine on a Thursday evening in Russia.

The loss left Argentina without control of their destiny in this year’s World Cup after Croatia automatically qualified to the next round.

Should Iceland beat Nigeria in their second game later today Friday, the former would only need a draw against Croatia in their final group game to be able to qualify to the next round.