Argentina’s superstar forward Lionel Messi will be aiming to put a highly disappointing opening match behind him as he gears up to take on Croatia in Nizhy Novgorod 10:00 PM tonight. The only thing missing from the Barcelona striker’s trophy cabinet is a title for his national team.
Four years ago, he led his country to an agonising final defeat against Germany. Now, set to be 31 in a few days, this could be Messi’s last World Cup, the final opportunity to match Diego Maradona for the eternal love and adoration of his countrymen.
Croatia, on the other hand, enter the match on a high and will look to spoil the Argentinian’s evening.
Coach Zlatko Dalic has unashamedly turned to midfielder Ivan Rakitic - a team mate of Messi’s at Barcelona - for ideas and tactics to stop him. “I will use all the information I can,” he told Reuters, declaring Rakitic his temporary
“assistant” before the game. “There is no perfect way to stop Lionel Messi ... he is the greatest player in the world. But while one excellent player can make a great result, a great team does the job much better ... We will go into the game a little bit more relaxed than them.”
Those who followed closely Argentina’s shaky qualification for the World Cup were not so shocked by the result against Iceland, and do not expect them to roll over Croatia despite their abundance of individual talent.
For reasons hard to fathom, they have looked ponderous and lacking in creative thrust throughout coach Jorge Sampaoli’s year in charge despite boasting Messi and other big names like Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria.
“We will learn from what happened and we have to have the strength to win the next game,” Sampaoli said after the Iceland defeat, seeking to stir his team into collective greatness.
Nevertheless, it is 32 years since Argentina last won the World Cup and 25 since their last silverware, the Copa America in 1993.
Croatia themselves are not short on top-quality players. As well as Rakitic, they also have the talented Luka Modric in midfield, and towering hitman Mario Madzukic up front.
With their strongest squad for years and in pole position in the group, Croatia dream of rivalling the glories of 1998, when they reached the World Cup semi-finals and finished third after a 2-1 win over the Netherlands in the playoff.
France face off against Peru Over 1,300 kilometres away at the Ekaterinburg Arena, France will face Peru at 7:00 PM.
Despite coming away with three points, Les Bleus struggled to defeat Australia in their opening game and will be wary of Peru as they often struggle against Latin American opposition.
In their last 12 World Cup matches against Latin American teams, France have won four — including beating Brazil in the 1998 final — drawn four and lost four.
They defeated Australia 2-1 to go top of the group while Peru, in their first finals since 1982, lost 1-0 to Denmark.
But the results do not say how France stuttered or show how Peru looked inspired even though they lacked efficiency.
“I don’t think France like to play against South American teams. With our style of play, our way to hold the ball, I think we can cause them trouble,” said fullback Miguel Trauco.
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