- Argentina will face Croatia on Thursday night, June 21, in their second game in Russia
- The South Americans were held to a 1-1 draw by Iceland in their first tie, while Croatia beat Nigeria 2-0
- Barcelona star Lionel Messi will be under pressure to deliver after missing a penalty against Iceland
Lionel Messi and his Argentine national teammates will be under serious pressure to deliver on Thursday night, June 21, when they face Croatia in their second Group D game in Russia.
Argentina who were runners up at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil started their campaign at the Russia 2018 tournament on a disappointing note as they were held to a draw by Iceland.
Croatia on the other hand started impressively beating the Super Eagles of Nigeria 2-0, and they will need at least a point against Argentina for them to be sure of qualifying for the round of 16.
They will be without Nikola Kalinic who has been sent home after refusing to come on as a second half substitute in their match against Super Eagles of Nigeria.
This will be the fifth meeting between Argentina and Croatia, with the South Americans winning twice to Croatia's one.
Croatia have lost all four of their World Cup meetings with South American sides, once in each of the four tournaments they've played in.
Lionel Messi has scored in each of his two previous appearances against Croatia including his first ever goal for Argentina in March 2006.
Possible line-ups:
Argentina: Caballero; Mercado, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Salvio, Mascherano, Meza, Acuna; Messi, Aguero, Pavon.
Croatia: Subasic; Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic; Rakitic, Badelj; Brozovic, Modric, Perisic; Mandzukic.
Meanwhile, the time for this match is 7pm Nigerian time, and we at NAIJ.com will bring you excellent live updates of the encounter.
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Earlier, NAIJ.com had reported how the Super Eagles Nigeria of Nigeria tasted their first defeat against Croatia as they lost 2-0 in their opening match of Group D at Russia 2018 World Cup.
Ogehenekaro Etebo unfortunately scored an own goal as Mario Manduzkic's flying header came off his foot and the ball rolls into the net to put Croatia ahead.
A gaffe from Nigerian defender Ekong gave the referee no other choice than to give Croatia a penalty which was scored by Real Madrid star Modric.
Super Eagles in Russia 2018: The First Taste of Failure | Naij.com TV
Source: Naija.ng
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