Jordan Ayew ranked 7th best player in Europe Ahead of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrniixFN806pWXiZNr9Jrp4D3SMx_Hp0Jfi51aEuaRWgMI8hMHeKF82FFuGCwJPfIvhLEhrKX6fBXkakNOk5NUCzvLXpMG-bjpq42bIi0QjXeACqoHPN3BJT91_Mp-xQca-US-8I_VQiX/s1600/Messi_Cristiano-Ronaldo_Jordan-Ayew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="910" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrniixFN806pWXiZNr9Jrp4D3SMx_Hp0Jfi51aEuaRWgMI8hMHeKF82FFuGCwJPfIvhLEhrKX6fBXkakNOk5NUCzvLXpMG-bjpq42bIi0QjXeACqoHPN3BJT91_Mp-xQca-US-8I_VQiX/s640/Messi_Cristiano-Ronaldo_Jordan-Ayew.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jordan Ayew ranked 7th best player in Europe Ahead of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo</td></tr> </tbody></table> <h3> Ghana and Crystal Palace forward Jordan Ayew has been ranked the 7th best player in Europe for the last one month ahead of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Robert Lewandowski.</h3> The rankings were compiled by the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) Football Observatory, using data from OptaPro.<br /> <br /> The criteria for the ranking include shooting, change creation, creativity, vision, technique, accuracy and risk-taking among other things, distribution, rigour, recovery and take ons.<br /> <br /> Jordan is currently one of Ghana’s best performers in Europe and has been scoring goals for fun at Crystal Palace.<br /> <br /> The former Aston Villa marksman registered his eighth goal of the season on Saturday as Crystal Palace edged Watford 1-0 at the Selhurst Park.<br /> <br /> The goal has made him Ghana’s joint-highest scorer in Premier League history with 24 goals – a record he holds alongside Tony Yeboah.<br /> <br /> Below are the top 10 best performers in Europe between February and March, according to CIES Football Observatory:<br /> <br /> <h3> 1. Juan Cuadrado – 97.3 (Juventus FC)<br />2. Serge Gnabry – 96.5 (FC Bayern München)<br />3. Fabián Ruiz – 95.7 (SSC Napoli)<br />4. Luis Alberto – 95.7 (SS Lazio)<br />5. Thomas Müller – 94.7 (FC Bayern München)<br />6. Nikola Maksimović – 94.3 (SSC Napoli)<br />7. Jordan Ayew – 94.0 (Crystal Palace FC)<br />8. Kai Havertz – 93.7 (Bayer 04 Leverkusen)<br />9. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 93.3 (Arsenal FC)<br />10. Jonathan Tah – 93.3 (Bayer 04 Leverkusen)</h3>

Arsenal FC Cristiano Ronaldo Crystal Palace FC FC Bayern München Featured Jordan Ayew Juventus FC Lionel Messi Robert Lewandowski Sports Thomas Müller Jordan Ayew ranked 7th best player in Europe Ahead of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Jordan Ayew ranked 7th best player in Europe Ahead of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Ghana and Crystal Palace forward Jordan Ayew has been...

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France vs Argentina [4:3], France's Kylian Mbappe at FIFA World Cup 2018 was so fast that he makes quick players look slow but he sent Lionel Messi and co home

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1kV5wyTajjBrnawHojydQ7Nf1hGSgvB6JQ63s3Kzaywe7jR1zSOjQIjF1wrFUF3F1Jx_bviQWwBd5cQXqSLCLybVZRpvLbFJVv8AkiXd1PVy3pLsRjyT70Ad9v2TuufQ27MIOOEqLS4y/s1600/Kylian+Mbappe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="759" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1kV5wyTajjBrnawHojydQ7Nf1hGSgvB6JQ63s3Kzaywe7jR1zSOjQIjF1wrFUF3F1Jx_bviQWwBd5cQXqSLCLybVZRpvLbFJVv8AkiXd1PVy3pLsRjyT70Ad9v2TuufQ27MIOOEqLS4y/s640/Kylian+Mbappe.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FIFA World Cup 2018 - Round of 16, <b><a href="https://ofmtv.com/france-vs-argentina-43-kylian-mbappe-at-fifa-world-cup/" target="_blank">France vs Argentina</a></b> - Kazan Arena,  on June 30, 2018  France's Antoine Griezmann celebrates scoring their first goal with Kylian Mbappe and team mates. Credit: Reuters /Carlos Garcia Rawlins</td></tr> </tbody></table> <h2> 1. Kylian Mbappe announced himself on football's biggest stage with two fine goals that gave France victory in a classic World Cup encounter with Argentina, and a place in the quarter-finals.</h2> <h2> 2. Kylian Mbappe destroys Argentina to send Lionel Messi and co home in World Cup thriller.</h2> <h2> 3. France’s Kylian Mbappe became the first teenager to score at least twice in a World Cup match since Pele netted twice for Brazil against Sweden in the 1958 final.</h2> <h2> 4. <a href="https://ofmtv.com/france-vs-argentina-43-kylian-mbappe-at-fifa-world-cup/" target="_blank">France's Kylian Mbappe, the 19-year-old whose speed won France the penalty.</a></h2> <h2> 5. France’s Kylian Mbappe was so fast that he makes quick players look slow. What a speed, according to GhanaSky.com</h2> <h2> 6. France are into the quarter-final! Argentina are out! </h2> <h2> 7. Though much of the focus before the game was on Argentina superstar Lionel Messi, it was Mbappe who produced a brilliant performance that will linger long in the memory.</h2> <br /> It is one of the gifts of being the most talented teenager footballer in the world that Kylian Mbappe makes fast defenders look slow and slow defenders look ridiculous, although in the end this was about bigger things than just a first half demolition of poor old Marcos Rojo.<br /> <br /> Mbappe's second-half double turned the game decisively in France's favour, and inflicted more pain on Argentina in what may be their final chance to win the World Cup during Messi's prime.<br /> In doing so, the 19-year-old became the first teenager to score two in a World Cup match since Pele netted twice for Brazil against Sweden in the 1958 final.<br /> <br /> Antoine Griezmann had already hit the bar with a free-kick by the time he put France ahead from the penalty spot in the ninth minute, following a searing Mbappe run that was ended by a clumsy Marcos Rojo foul.<br /> <br /> Argentina looked unable to reply for much of the first half, until Angel di Maria hauled his side level with a stunning long-range curler shortly before the break.<br /> <br /> Thousands of raucous South American supporters were sent into raptures when Gabriel Mercado diverted a Messi shot past Hugo Lloris to give Jorge Sampaoli's side the lead.<br /> <br /> But Benjamin Pavard's stunning strike levelled the scores, and 11 minutes later Mbappe had scored twice - two clinical finishes that ensured the 2014 beaten finalists would be going home at the last 16.<br /> For the first he swept body and ball into space before driving past Franco Armani to score, while the second was swept in crisply at the end of a counter-attack as Argentina chased another leveller.<br /> Substitute Sergio Aguero did get a late consolation - a low header from a pin-point Messi cross in the 93rd minute.<br /> <h3> Les Bleus warming to Russia after sluggish start</h3> Despite their obvious attacking talent, there were still plenty of questions around this France team after a group phase during which they never really hit their stride. <br /> Les Bleus qualified comfortably as Group C winners but laboured to a <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6041288821139222559">win over Australia,</a> beat Peru unconvincingly then played out a dire draw with Denmark, the only 0-0 of the tournament so far.<br /> They must have just been waiting for the knockout stage to start, because here we finally witnessed the kind of blistering display many expected sooner, with Mbappe the embodiment.<br /> <br /> 'Glorious' Pavard strike brings France level His run for the penalty was sensational, pure athleticism coupled with bravery and belief as he drove past defender after defender; all Rojo could do was haul him down. His two goals were not bad either.<br /> <br /> Responding to concerns about his team's style, manager Didier Deschamps had made the point that under his watch tournament progress is only building in momentum. <br /> In 2014 there was the World Cup quarter-final loss to winners Germany, then the Euro 2016 final defeat by Portugal in extra time.<br /> And the Portuguese could be next for a team looking very dangerous indeed.<br /> <h3> What now for Messi and Sampaoli?</h3> This is an Argentina team around which there seem to have been so many major issues, with rumours of dressing room discontent, reports Messi was calling the shots in team selection, and a sense they were simply not getting the best from the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.<br /> During the nine minutes after the Mercado goal that put them ahead early in the second half, all was forgotten in the stands packed with light-blue-and-white striped shirts.<br /> But Mbappe's brilliance - after Pavard's stunning equalising goal - brought them crashing back to reality.<br /> That reality is this could well be the end for a generation that has failed to win a major title despite promising so much.<br /> Di Maria levels for Argentina with 'a shot from the heavens' This last-16 exit follows three consecutive defeats in major finals - the World Cup in 2014, the Copa America in 2015, and the special centenary Copa America in 2016. <br /> After that third final defeat, Messi announced his retirement, before <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6041288821139222559">changing his mind</a> a month later. Six days ago he turned 31.<br /> Following the final whistle here, all of the Argentina players lingered long on the pitch, only leaving after France had. Messi was first down the tunnel, with his head bowed and the captain's armband in his hands.<br /> <h3> Man of the match - Kylian Mbappe (France)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVYZCh72QmvPsqKLzyk0G2ZS03RD-l1KDc_bScdZHTThg-oLiTYYhJeVis9LLh4gFVfFxnKztgJlPzTU-xOkrLIWOeoH3BQwpLXHJaQTK07Yk7rsaLr1MDfCbb23m7OGz48XZdeG4A7ih/s1600/Kylian+Mbappe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="759" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVYZCh72QmvPsqKLzyk0G2ZS03RD-l1KDc_bScdZHTThg-oLiTYYhJeVis9LLh4gFVfFxnKztgJlPzTU-xOkrLIWOeoH3BQwpLXHJaQTK07Yk7rsaLr1MDfCbb23m7OGz48XZdeG4A7ih/s640/Kylian+Mbappe.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kylian Mbappe (10) became the first teenager to score multiple goals in a World Cup tournament since Michael Owen for England in 199</td></tr> </tbody></table> </h3> Kylian Mbappe became the first teenager to score multiple goals in a World Cup tournament since Michael Owen for England in 1998<br /> <h3> 'I won't decide my future today' - what they said</h3> <b>Argentina boss Jorge Sampaoli:</b> "This is very painful, especially because the players have made a huge effort. <br /> "It was a very difficult game but we have not achieved our goal here in Russia. I'm sad, I'm frustrated - I think that's quite normal. <br /> "I won't decide my future today."<br /> <b>France boss Didier Deschamps:</b> "Our team is much younger, but it's there. We answered the call, we have a lot of character and it was not easy as we were leading, then there was an equaliser, then we were 2-1 behind, but we kept fighting.<br /> "There is an excellent mentality in this group and we did everything to go further. Since I am responsible for everything, particularly when it doesn't go well, I'm very proud."<br /> <b>Man of the match Kylian Mbappe:</b> "It's flattering to be the second teenager to score twice in a World Cup match after Pele but let's put things in context. Pele is another category, but it's good to be among these people.<br /> "As I've already and always said, at a World Cup you have all the top-level players, so it's an opportunity to show what you can do and what your abilities are. There's no better place than a World Cup."<br /> <h3 class="sp-story-body__cross-head"> Messi yet to score in World Cup knockout stage - the stats</h3> <ul> <li>Messi has played 756 minutes of football in World Cup knockout-stage matches, but has failed to score.</li> <li>Messi is the only player to have delivered an assist in each of the past four World Cups.</li> <li>This was just the fifth time Argentina have conceded four or more goals in a World Cup match, and first since losing 4-0 to Germany in the 2010 quarter-finals.</li> <li>France scored with all four of their shots on target. They had scored three goals from 12 shots on target in the group stages.</li> <li>There were eight yellow cards, equalling the most shown in a single game so far at the 2018 World Cup (also Belgium v Panama).</li> <li>Seven of the eight shots on target were scored, with the exception Messi's in the 85th minute.</li> <li>France have never lost an international match in which Griezmann has scored.</li> <li>At 30.16 yards, Di Maria's equaliser for Argentina was the longest-range goal scored so far in the 2018 World Cup.</li> <li>Pavard's goal was his first for France, in his ninth appearance.</li> </ul> Source: BBC

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Argentina Football Team Featured FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup Round of 16 France football team France vs Argentina [4:3] Kylian Mbappe Lionel Messi Sports France vs Argentina [4:3], France's Kylian Mbappe at FIFA World Cup 2018 was so fast that he makes quick players look slow but he sent Lionel Messi and co home

FIFA World Cup 2018 - Round of 16, France vs Argentina - Kazan Arena,  on June 30, 2018  France's Antoine Griezmann celebrates scorin...

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Nigeria vs Argentina [1:2] - Marcos Rojo saves Argentina's FIFA World Cup 2018 dream with late winner to send Nigeria home

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU__QJ6phJIh_2mfbKf1Yigdy-A9DQ0Fa-nZr2pJ8IfLevS7CwL_nfAdOn1C1Mzj5p_ijrDM9A-H3IyoqYJjOFkSHvrC-2LVSFbWhFhOMXyJgOy5t2vA0M6YlJO8ITbjUqLvGZHvPfoCj2/s1600/Nigeria+vs+Argentina.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU__QJ6phJIh_2mfbKf1Yigdy-A9DQ0Fa-nZr2pJ8IfLevS7CwL_nfAdOn1C1Mzj5p_ijrDM9A-H3IyoqYJjOFkSHvrC-2LVSFbWhFhOMXyJgOy5t2vA0M6YlJO8ITbjUqLvGZHvPfoCj2/s640/Nigeria+vs+Argentina.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nigeria vs Argentina  [1:2] - Marcos Rojo saves Argentina</td></tr> </tbody></table> In the end it was not a Messi moment but an extraordinary volley from the right-boot of Marcos Rojo which saved Argentina at this World Cup, which sent them into the last-16 and which prolonged the international career of the best player the planet has probably ever seen. <br /> <br /> <div> Lionel Messi scored and scored a brilliant goal but, in itself, it was not enough against Nigeria who are out and will depart Russia with a sense of injustice and not least because at the identity of the man who sent them out. The Manchester United defender had already gone unpunished after catching Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho with a ridiculously high boot in the penalty area in the first-half and Rojo survived another spot-kick appeal - which even went to VAR after the referee Cuneyt Cakir was told to double-check it - when he headed the ball against his own arm in the second-half. <br /> <br /></div> Then as Argentina seemed to be subsumed by their angst, by the devils which have gripped them and the weight of expectation which has overwhelmed them Messi intervened again. Except it was to roll a simple pass down the right touchline for Gabriel Mercado to send in a cross. Quite what Rojo was doing there in the first place who knows but such was Argentina’s plight at that point - when they had lost all shape and formation - that they needed something unlikely.<br /> <br /> Instead of Gonzalo Higuain, instead of Sergio Aguero, who had also come on by that stage, it was the centre-half to strike the sweetest of volleys which tore past goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and into the net. There were 86 minutes on the clock. Just four minutes plus injury-time to go.<br /> <br /> That clock was so close to ticking down but on an increasingly feverish and desperate night in St Petersburg, a night when the city and the stadium was turned into a fervent sea of blue and white clad, chanting Argentinians they saved themselves and will go forward from Group D, runners-up to Croatia, to face France, after collecting just four points from three unconvincing performances.<br /> <br /> When that final whistle went all control was lost. The bench exploded onto the pitch, the players slumped in God-like prayer, including their little God Messi, who actually stood motionless in this maelstrom deep in his own thoughts and communications. Coach Jorge Sampaoli had also earned his reprieve even if his influence on this squad is so damaged that he will not remain in his post, come what may.<br /> <br /> Even at half-time the cameras cut to the tunnel to catch Messi giving a team-talk while the rumours were that his team-mate Javier Mascherano had helped select the starting XI which was, in fact, the oldest ever to appear at a World Cup with an average age of 30 years and 189 days.<br /> <br /> It felt like a team out of touch, out of time and out of this tournament despite their undeniable, dervish effort. But there was only one thirty-something who matters and Messi was not bowing out. Not now. Not yet. This World Cup has been a brilliant festival of football but it was lacking one thing. It was lacking Messi. And he gave it. His first-half goal was simply beautiful in every aspect. It came as Ever Banega, one of five changes made by Sampaoli or, rather, by the players as the coach drowns in a sea of revolt, flighted a glorious pass forward which picked out Messi.<br /> <br /> The forward took it down on his thigh, as he sprinted, cushioned it with his left-foot,  accelerated to give him sufficient space ahead of defender Kenneth Omeruo, of Chelsea, and slammed a right-footed shot back across Uzoho. The goalkeeper was left grasping air, the ball was in the net and Messi was scampering off in celebration. In the stands Diego Maradona folded his arms across his chest and raised his eyes to the heavens in relief. And with that it was the 100th goal of this World Cup, Messi became the first player to score in this competition as a teenager, in his 20s and in his 30s and 660 World Cup minutes without a goal ended for him.<br /> <br /> Messi had been stationed out towards the right-wing in this re-worked team but, for 45 inspired minutes, he simply used that as his launch-pad. It was his finely-weighted pass that split the Nigerian defence to send Higuain through only for Uzoho to smother and he stepped up to take the free-kick after Leon Balogun tripped Angel Di Maria. From it Messi swung his shot left-footed across goal with the ball cannoning back off the far post. It would have gone in but for a finger-tip touch from the diving Uzoho.<br /> <br /> Nigeria have proved themselves to be far better in the second-half of matches and so it proved again. If one of Messi’s tunnel messages was to concentrate, not do anything stupid then it was not heeded by Mascherano who foolishly held Balogun at Nigeria’s first corner after the re-start. The penalty was given and Victor Moses calmly stroked it beyond debutant goalkeeper Franco Armani to level the scores.<br /> <br /> Argentina were stunned. Suddenly panic set in as they desperately tried to regain the initiative. The body language of both sets of players switched and Iheanacho’s replacement, Odion Ighalo, shot wastefully wide and was later denied by Armani when he had to score. By now nerves were frayed. Argentina escaped the penalty appeal, a draw would not be enough but, through Rojo, they grasped the lifeline.<br /> <br /> <br />  source: telegraph.co.uk

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Argentina Football Team Featured FIFA World Cup Lionel Messi Marcos Rojo Nigeria Football Team Nigeria vs Argentina Sports Victor Moses Nigeria vs Argentina [1:2] - Marcos Rojo saves Argentina's FIFA World Cup 2018 dream with late winner to send Nigeria home

Nigeria vs Argentina  [1:2] - Marcos Rojo saves Argentina In the end it was not a Messi moment but an extraordinary volley from the ri...

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Argentina vs Croatia [0-3], Luka Modric nets as Lionel Messi and co suffer heavy World Cup loss

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANJtNl3vmcfhRDcdp_bSIDHFE2n0cc7eM0Y-JU05F6aGHJyXHRHdkkgkDESqbObU6pw10ASpbxKo9TjwBaZUfV0mkcbIqIjR2B7Qok_05jBZqVKrPnUPVl3AUlEtQOcleJPalXyjJINRC/s1600/argentina-vs-croatia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="660" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANJtNl3vmcfhRDcdp_bSIDHFE2n0cc7eM0Y-JU05F6aGHJyXHRHdkkgkDESqbObU6pw10ASpbxKo9TjwBaZUfV0mkcbIqIjR2B7Qok_05jBZqVKrPnUPVl3AUlEtQOcleJPalXyjJINRC/s640/argentina-vs-croatia.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luka Modric (Left) nets as Lionel Messi (Right) and co suffer heavy World Cup loss</td></tr> </tbody></table> Lionel Messi's World Cup dream almost over after Willy Caballero error and Luka Modric's stunning goal.<br /> <br /> According GhanaSky.com analyst, Croatia through Luka Modric's  and others recorded a stunning win over Argentina to book their place in the knockout rounds of the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup. And Lionel Messi's World Cup dream is almost over.<br /> <br /> Argentinaare facing the prospect of an early exit from the World Cup after a damaging 3-0 defeat to Croatia, who have qualified for the knockout stages.<br /> <h4> Luka Modric scored a stunner as Croatia shocked Argentina at the World Cup 2018</h4> <h3> Lionel Messi's Argentina on brink of World Cup exit after Croatia drubbing </h3> In a frantic game, Willy Caballero's howler gifted the opening goal to Ante Rebic, who volleyed home, before Luka Modric beat the goalkeeper from 25 yards to seal the three points. Ivan Rakitic added a third in injury time.<br /> <h2> Ante Rebic, 53<br />Luka Modric, 80<br />Ivan Rakitic, 90+</h2> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQsTcN_PEqGjWo4ZRSTVSZEAQrgvc75kVwlXH2-ye1AZKmlXP1F-axUWybxsolXVTFnJ5l8AknKCZvjrtEmawssz9HqWXZ14vwoFWPkX5y96kWNW0Ws5oiURKU4ahyphenhyphenIEU3Yq03hh6GgHK/s1600/Argentina+vs+Croatia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="1083" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQsTcN_PEqGjWo4ZRSTVSZEAQrgvc75kVwlXH2-ye1AZKmlXP1F-axUWybxsolXVTFnJ5l8AknKCZvjrtEmawssz9HqWXZ14vwoFWPkX5y96kWNW0Ws5oiURKU4ahyphenhyphenIEU3Yq03hh6GgHK/s640/Argentina+vs+Croatia.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> The South Americans missed a number of chances in the first half, the best of which fell to Enzo Perez who missed an open goal after the ball fell to him following a mix-up in the Croatian defence.<br /> <br /> Maximiliano Meza earlier had a goal-bound shot blocked and Marcus Acuna hit the crossbar. Croatia also missed a sitter when Mario Mandzukic headed wide when in acres of space inside the penalty area.<br /> Argentina needed a win after a surprise 1-1 draw against Iceland in their opening game, while Croatia knew a win would see them reach the last-16 stage after beating Nigeria 2-0 last week.<br /> <br /> Messi and Sergio Aguero were kept quiet in the second half - the latter not touching the ball for the final 20 minutes of the first half - and frustrations were growing as decisions went against them.<br /> <br /> Their night got worse soon after the restart as Caballero inexplicably attempted to lift the ball over Rebic only for his attempt to lack power and the midfielder simply volleyed a return into the back of the net.<br /> <br /> It was a horrific mistake, which head coach Jorge Sampaoli reacted to by taking off Aguero and throwing on Gonzalo Higuain.<br /> <br /> Argentina were getting desperate but pushed Croatia further and further back in the final 15 minutes until Modric's sucker punch on the counter.<br /> <br /> Substitute Andrej Kramaric held the ball up on the left before finding Modric centrally. A little shimmy to the right and Modric fired home from distance.<br /> <br /> Rakitic put the icing on the result by tapping home into an empty net in injury time.<br /> <br /> credit: standard.co.uk<br /> <div> <br /></div>

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Argentina Football Team Argentina vs Croatia Croatia football team Featured FIFA World Cup Lionel Messi Luka Modric's Sports Argentina vs Croatia [0-3], Luka Modric nets as Lionel Messi and co suffer heavy World Cup loss

Luka Modric (Left) nets as Lionel Messi (Right) and co suffer heavy World Cup loss Lionel Messi's World Cup dream almost over after ...

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