[dropcap]C[/dropcap]roatia has all but put itself through to the knockout rounds with its second win in two group-stage games. It leads Group D with 6 points. Argentina, meanwhile, is still alive but in a very precarious spot with only 1 point from its first two games. It will absolutely need a big win over Nigeria in its third game if it has any hope of avoiding elimination in the group stage.
The Croatian national team on Thursday night became the fourth team to qualify for the round of sixteen stage of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The Croatian team defeated Argentina by three unreplied goals scored by Rebic, Captain Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic. All the goals came in the second half of the enthralling encounter played inside the magnificent Novgorod Stadium in Russia. This is the heaviest defeat for Argentina since they lost 6-1 to Czechoslovakia in Rosenberg, Sweden in the 1958 FIFA World Cup. Argentina now has a mountain to climb against the Nigerian team who defeated the South American nation last November in an international friendly game played in Russia.
Ivan Rakitic just tacked on one more goal for Croatia, who have dealt an almost-fatal blow to Argentina’s World Cup hopes.
• Croatia’s Luka Modric delivered the dagger goal in the 81st minute.
• Ante Rebic took advantage of Argentina’s miscue early in the second half to score the go-ahead goal.
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