#5 Best: Croatian centre-back duo
Dejan Lovren and Domagoj Vida forged a terrific defensive pair for Croatia and were instrumental in registering a clean sheet today. When Argentina pushed forward during the opening spells, the centre-back duo held on their own and nipped any danger in the bud.
The Liverpool defender, especially, never shied away from throwing himself into a tackle and also made some crucial blocks. His brawny presence frustrated Argentina to the hilt. Lovren just had a fine season with the Reds as his immaculate defending banished the demons of the previous season, and now he's carried his rich vein of form to Russia too.
He was ably complemented by his partner, as Vida too put in a solid shift to deny the Albiceleste on numerous occasions. A lapse in concentration at one point allowed Perez to have a go at the goal, but that could be easily excused.
The Croatian midfield is among the best in the tournament, but turns out, their centre-back pairing too can give the most stellar attacks a real run for their money.