The world runners-up were still more potent than the Croatian players and thus qualified for the quarter-finals of the World Cup
CROATIA – ARGENTINA 0:2 (Brandi 2′, Rosa 24′)
Croatia: Primić, Bašković – Novak, Jelovčić, Postružin, Perić, Kustura, Čekol, Jurlina, Vukmir, Marinović, Sekulić
Argentina: Sarmiento, Kravetzky – Bolo, Gauna, Rosa, Taborda, Arrieta, Borruto, Brandi, Claudino, Corso, Plaza, Tripodi, Vaporaki
Argentina opened the match much better. They had the first chance, but Taborda was not precise. A few moments later, Argentina took the lead. Sarmiento found Brandi with a long ball, who headed the ball into the goal.
But somehow, Croatia came back and began to threaten Argentina. Croatia tried several shots, but the Argentine goalkeeper saved the attempts of Croatian players. After half of the first half, Croatia started to rise. Postružin, Čekol and Sekulić had chances, but Sermiento was up to the task. He was the best goalkeeper in the last two World Cups.
The score did not change until the end of the first half. Argentina went into the break with a 1:0 lead.
Argentina opened this half better. Argentina was creating pressure, and they increased their lead in the fourth minute of the second half. After a mistake and a gift from Jurlina, Rosa took the opportunity to score to extend Argentina’s lead. But nothing is over yet. If Croatia is going to give away opportunities like this, they will have no chance. They will not advance to the next stage of the competition.
Croatia had the best chance in the 28th minute of the match. Luka Perić managed to hit the crossbar. Unfortunately, the ball went out of bounds. The second half seems to be a mirror image of the first half. Argentina scored, and Croatia retook the initiative and began to dominate the match. But precision is not Croatia’s best side.
Whatever the Croatian players shot toward the goal, Sarmiento defended it. Argentina, as an experienced national team, reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
Argentina seemed better in the last five minutes of the match. Croatia called a minute of rest to agree on the tactics. Croatia did not have anything to wait for. Croatia introduced a goalkeeper player but did not do anything specific.
Croatia gave away goals to Argentina and knew how to save the result. It was an excellent experience for Croatian players. There will undoubtedly be experience for the Croatian league. Now, it remains to be seen what to do next.
