The anguish, despair, and helplessness of Lionel Messi in the match against Croatia were manifested in a single action. The Argentine midfielder vented all his anger against defender Ivan Strinic, whom he pushed in a furious manner and could have been booked, but only received a warning.
On Thursday, Croatia beat a lackluster Argentina 3-0 and secured a place in the round of 16 of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, leaving the Albiceleste on the verge of elimination. Rebic at 53 minutes, after a goalkeeper Willy Caballero horror, Modric at 80 minutes, and Rakitic at 90+1 minutes scored the goals for Croatia in front of 43,000 spectators at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. Thus, Croatia joins France, Russia, and Uruguay in the round of 16. Argentina's only chance of advancing to the second round is to beat Nigeria and hope for favorable results in Group D to finish as the second-placed team.