Modric, Rakitic monopolize midfield

The 3-0 loss to Croatia was Argentina’s worst ever World Cup defeat in the group stage since a 6-1 defeat to Czechoslovakia in 1958. This was Argentina’s first defeat in the group stage of a World Cup since 2002, when they lost 1-0 to England and they also equalled their worst start to a World Cup since 1974 -- the year they failed to win both of their first two group matches. The 3-0 defeat to Croatia looks incredibly bad on paper but the performance might have been even worse. Jorge Sampaoli started the game without a ball-playing midfielder who could control the flow in midfield for the Albiceleste. It was down to Croatia duo Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic to dominate the midfield battles and they did just that.

Javier Mascherano and Enzo Perez started in midfield for the Albiceleste and they were no match for the highly technical pairing of Modric and Rakitic who both scored to put their mark on the game as Argentina were defeated 3-0.

Lionel Messi was a total non-event in the match and had only 49 touches in the whole game. Argentina were slow and ponderous on the ball as Croatia midfield cut out Messi's supply line. With a stagnant Argentina midfield to play against, Modric and Rakitic had 62 and 61 touches respectively as both made their presence felt. Modric's incredible 80th-minute goal from outside the box extended Croatia's lead to 2-0 before Messi's Barcelona team-mate Rakitic completed the scoring as Argentina's hapless defence was sliced apart in injury time.

Rakitic stats

1 goal

4 shots (2 on target)

3/4 dribbles

28/38 in passes (1 key pass)

pass accuracy 73.7%

Modric stats

1 goal

2 shots

2/2 dribbles

36/42 in passes (2 key passes)

pass accuracy 83.3%