Argentina vs Croatia

The 31-year-old is forced into the centre of attention given the lack of quality around him and he’s asked to do much. Not only is he the goal scorer, but also the playmaker as well as the midfielder looking to start attacks from the edge of his own box. Croatia vs Argentina:  With Argentina, it seems like all we talk about is Messi. That microscope has increased tenfold since his penalty miss against Iceland, and now we are awaiting a reaction from the Barcelona star.

There’s plenty of pressure already on his shoulders without an opening game draw to add to it.

These two players have battled each other many times over the years in the Premier League though this will be the first time they have ever met in an international game – Lovren did not play in the friendly between the two sides in 2014.

In the Champions League battles between Liverpool and Manchester City, Aguero did not play due to injury, but they did face each other at Anfield in the Premier League when Liverpool ran out 4-3 winners.\

Lovren knows that keeping Aguero quiet will be a hard job, and he may have his attention focused on Messi, but it will be important for Croatia to neutralise both if they want any chance of winning.

On the flip-side, Aguero scored against Iceland and will have confidence heading into this game. He has the creativity of Messi and the freedom of not being as closely watched due to the presence of his other attacking teammates.

Will he respond with a tantalising performance? Or will he again flatter to deceive? A Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick has already turned this World Cup partially into yet another Messi vs Ronaldo debate, and a big performance against Croatia will go some way in ending it.

Croatia will obviously be delighted with their victory and the fact that they kept a clean sheet will be music to their manager’s ears, but a much-improved performance will be needed if they expect to defeat Argentina.

Argentina Lineup
Jorge Sampaoli is likely to make a few changes after his side’s poor performance against Iceland, but do not expect anything too widespread.

Messi and Aguero will still start in advanced positions, but Ever Banega could come into the side for one of Javier Mascherano or Lucas Biglia. Since Biglia is not quite yet match fit, it could be him that gets dropped.

Messi’s penalty miss dominated the headlines, but really Argentina could look at many missed opportunities and a lack of effort as they squandered a perfect chance to get off to a winning start.

That being said, Argentina did have 27 shots and 78% of the possession, but the resilience of Iceland earned them a well-deserved point.

Croatia 2-0 Nigeria

A drab affair at the Kaliningrad Stadium did at least have two goals though fans of both sides will be worried about their respective poor performances.

REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

An own goal set Croatia on their way to victory, after Oghenekaro Etebo converted Mario Mandzukic’s wayward header from Luka Modric’s initial cross, before Modric himself netted a penalty on 71 minutes to seal the victory for Croatia.

Croatia Lineup
Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic represent Croatia’s two best players and their midfield partnership is unlikely to be broken up at this tournament unless injuries or suspensions occur.

Croatia will be without former Blackburn Rovers striker Nikola Kalinic after he was kicked out of their World Cup party after refusing to come on as a substitute against Nigeria.

Against a weak Argentina midfield, Zlatko Dalic could select Mateo Kovacic instead of one of Ante Rebic or Andrej Kramaric and switch to a 4-3-3 to exert even more midfield control.