FIFA World Cup: Argentina vs Croatia Preview
Lionel Messi's Argentina will take on Croatia in a crucial World Cup Group D encounter. The Albicelestes were held to a 1-1 draw against Iceland with Messi missing a penalty to share the spoils. Luka Modric's Croatia, on the other hand, are coming off a 2-0 win over Nigeria. Here is all you need to know about this feisty encounter.
Jorge Sampaoli is yet to find his winning XI
Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli has been in charge of the Albicelestes for 12 games now. However, he hasn't found his winning team yet. The 58-year-old is still to name the same team twice, and we expect him to shake the forward line for this crucial fixture as well. With plenty of attacking options, several big names are expected to be on the bench.
Di Maria to be benched
Angel Di Maria had a decent game against Iceland and he did nothing wrong. However, he is likely to be benched in this game and Cristian Pavon might replace the Paris Saint-Germain star. Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala are the others who might get a look in. Messi is the only certain starter for Argentina.
Argentina need to find their mojo again
The 2014 World Cup runners-up Argentina have now gone three games without a win at the World Cup. They had won the semi-final against the Netherlands via penalty shootout. Their last victory was a 1-0 triumph over Belgium in Brazil. Messi and his boys know this cannot be the case tonight if they have to ensure their survival.
History states Argentina have been the better side
These two teams have met 4 times before with Argentina winning 2 of those encounters. The Croatians have been victorious once and the other was a draw. They have locked horns just once at the World Cup before in 1998, where Argentina secured a 1-0 victory in their group stage encounter to top the group.
Probable starting XI for both teams
Argentina: Caballero, Mercado, Otamendi, Tagliafico, Salvio, Mascherano, Meza, Acuna, Messi, Aguero and Pavon. Croatia: Subasic, Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic, Rakitic, Badelj, Brozovic, Modric, Perisic and Mandzukic.
