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FIFA World Cup 2018: All eyes on Lionel Messi as Argentina face Croatia
Lionel Messi will be in focus when Argentina face Croatia in their second game of the FIFA World Cup 2018 on Thursday. Argentina, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Iceland in their first game, will look for their first win in the tournament. Croatia, on the other hand, beat Nigeria 2-0 in their opening encounter.
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Argentina will hope Lionel Messi fires when they face Croatia in their second game of the FIFA World Cup 2018 on Thursday. (Utpaal Sorkkar/HT photo )
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Messi missed a penalty as Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw by Iceland in their first game. (Utpaal Sorkkar/HT photo )
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Despite his lacklustre show, Messi has all the support of his Argentina teammates and they will ‘keep by his side’, according to Paulo Dybala. (Utpaal Sorkkar/HT photo )
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If Argentina lose to Croatia, they will be all but out of the tournament. (Utpaal Sorkkar/HT photo )
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Messi had 11 shots during the encounter against Iceland, but was unable to lead Argentina to a win. (Utpaal Sorkkar/HT photo )
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Argentina and Croatia have met only once before in the FIFA World Cup, in 1998, with the former registering a 1-0 win. (Utpaal Sorkkar/HT photo )
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Despite the solitary point against Iceland, Argentina can take solace from a performance which saw them muster 26 shots and have 72 per cent possession against Iceland. (AFP)
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