Soccer, WC 2018: Argentina vs. Croatia official in-game thread.
After their disappointing 1-1 draw with Iceland, Argentina will be desperate to show the world what they can do and get their tournament back on track. Croatia began Group D with a solid 2-0 win over Nigeria, and will be favourites to qualify if they can claim a positive result here.
Argentina legend and 1986 World Cup winner, Diego Maradona, expressed his anger at the performance against Iceland, saying; "It's a disgrace. Not having prepared for the match knowing that Iceland are all 1.90m tall...". Expect the Argentines to have a game plan for this match - which will likely include plans to shackle Croatia’s technical players.
Croatia’s 2-0 win over Nigeria was solid if unspectacular, and captain Luka Modrić converted a penalty to seal the win. Despite their technical qualities however, Croatia will have to up their game if they are to beat an Argentinian side desperate for a win.
When looking at their last six matches, both sides have an identical record of: W3, D1, L2. Their goal difference is also identical (zero), as Argentina scored 11 goals and conceded 11, whilst Croatia scored five and conceded five!
The two teams have played four times before, with Argentina winning twice, Croatia once, while one was a draw.
Players to watch: Lionel Messi scored a winning penalty in a 2-1 victory last time these sides met (2014), and after seeing his penalty saved against Iceland, he will be eager to put things right here.
Experienced duo Luca Modrić and Ivan Rakitić are invaluable to Croatia’s chances.
Stat attack: Both sides have kept three clean sheets in their past six matches.
Six of Argentina’s last ten matches have finished with 2.5 goals or less, and eight of Croatia’s last ten have seen 2.5 goals or less.
In their last ten matches, Croatia have conceded eight goals and Argentina have conceded thirteen!
Argentina legend and 1986 World Cup winner, Diego Maradona, expressed his anger at the performance against Iceland, saying; "It's a disgrace. Not having prepared for the match knowing that Iceland are all 1.90m tall...". Expect the Argentines to have a game plan for this match - which will likely include plans to shackle Croatia’s technical players.
Croatia’s 2-0 win over Nigeria was solid if unspectacular, and captain Luka Modrić converted a penalty to seal the win. Despite their technical qualities however, Croatia will have to up their game if they are to beat an Argentinian side desperate for a win.
When looking at their last six matches, both sides have an identical record of: W3, D1, L2. Their goal difference is also identical (zero), as Argentina scored 11 goals and conceded 11, whilst Croatia scored five and conceded five!
The two teams have played four times before, with Argentina winning twice, Croatia once, while one was a draw.
Players to watch: Lionel Messi scored a winning penalty in a 2-1 victory last time these sides met (2014), and after seeing his penalty saved against Iceland, he will be eager to put things right here.
Experienced duo Luca Modrić and Ivan Rakitić are invaluable to Croatia’s chances.
Stat attack: Both sides have kept three clean sheets in their past six matches.
Six of Argentina’s last ten matches have finished with 2.5 goals or less, and eight of Croatia’s last ten have seen 2.5 goals or less.
In their last ten matches, Croatia have conceded eight goals and Argentina have conceded thirteen!
