Lionel Messi inspired Argentina as they progressed through to the Round of 16 in a must win game while already qualified Croatia ended Iceland’s slightest chances on the final day of Group D matches.
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France and Denmark played out a dire goalless draw to progress while already eliminated Peru defeated Australia…
A late Rojo goal sends Argentina through
Messi Magic and an unlikely Marcos Rojo stunner put Argentina through to the knockout stages of the World Cup with a 2-1 win against Nigeria at the Saint Petersburg Stadium, St. Petersburg.
Argentina have struggled to stamp their authority on this World Cup, looking a shade of the side that ran out in Brazil 4 years ago, and came into this game against a strong Nigeria side amid allegations of unrest between the players and coach Jorge Sampaoli.
The game started, as expected with the South Americans dominating the midfield battle and creating a few chances for themselves in the opening exchanges. The incisive early play was rewarded in the 14th minute, when ‘Los Albicelestes’ broke through the deadlock.
Ever Banega’s beautifully lofted pass found talisman Messi on the right side of the box, and the Argentinean skipper did well to bring the ball down and then rifle a shot across the goal before wheeling away in celebration.
Paris Saint-Germain winger, Angel Di Maria was brilliant for the Argentines, with his incisive runs putting Nigeria on the backfoot. The Winger created Argentina’s next best scoring chance on 33 minutes when he was fouled while on a driving run towards the box. Captain Messi stepped up to take the free kick, and was denied by the upright.
Half Time – Nigeria 0 – 1 Argentina
The drama continued in the second half as Argentina saw a penalty awarded against them in the 50th minute. A VAR referral saw Javier Mascherano judged guilty of manhandling Leon Balogun in the box, with the defender booked for his troubles as well.
Chelsea’s Victor Moses stepped up to the plate and calmly slotted the ball home, sending the keeper the wrong way.
With one foot on the plane home, the Argentines threw everything into attack, using the strength of their wingers to penetrate the Nigerian defence.
In the face of the staunch Nigerian defence, manager Sampaoli threw on Sergio Aguero into the mix but the striker too failed to turn the tide.
With elimination in sight, Gabriel Mercado crossed in from the right with four minutes remaining to find Marcos Rojo in the box. The Manchester United defender slotted home with a low volley, sending the overwhelmingly pro-Argentina crowd into raptures and his team into a round of 16 tie versus France.
Full Time – Nigeria 1 – 2 Argentina
Man of the Match – Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Goal Scorers
Argentina – Lionel Messi 14′, Marcos Rojo 86′
Nigeria – Victor Moses 50′(P)Bookings
Yellow CardsArgentina – Javier Mascherano 49′, Ever Banega 64′, Lionel Messi 90′
Nigeria – Leon Balogun 32′, Jon Obi Mikel 90′
Croatia too good for courageous Iceland
Croatia ended the slightest chance for Iceland to qualify for the Round of 16 with a 2-1 win at the Rostov Arena, Rostov-On-Don
Already qualified Croatia having not conceded any goals in the lead up to this match, started the game off in a rather slow pace while Iceland needed a win for any chance of qualifying.
Croatia, with nine changes, managed to control most of the game with high possession but failed to convert the possession into goal scoring opportunities.
However, into the last ten minutes of the half Iceland managed to threaten the Croatian defence as they came close to scoring through Gunnarsson and Finnbogason but was blocked off by the Croatian defence.
Half Time – Iceland 0 – 0 Croatia
Both teams started off the second half in high tempo but it was Croatia who made the breakthrough when Milan Badelj scored minutes after his long-range effort was deflected off the cross bar.
Iceland more motivated to grab a win came close to scoring through Ingason but was wide. However, the constant pressure by Iceland led to a penalty after a handball by Lovren which was calmly scored by Sigurdsson to level the scores in the 75th minute.
Iceland fought courageously but it was Ivan Perisic, who managed to seal the win for Croatia through a clinical finish in the 90th minute.
Full Time – Iceland 1 – 2 Croatia
Man of the Match – Milan Badelj
Goal Scorers
Croatia – Milan Badelj 53’ Ivan Perisic 90’
Iceland – Sigurdsson 75’Bookings
Yellow CardsCroatia – Marko Pjaca 14’, Tin Jedvaj 83’,
Iceland – Emil Hallfreosson 59’ Alfreo Finnbogason 64’, Birkir Saevarsson 84’
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