World Cup 2018: 3 things that went right for Croatia against Argentina

#1 An off day for Leo Messi

Messi could manage only 49 touches, just six more than his goalkeeper

Every tournament that the duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi are a part of is built up as a competition between the two best players in the sport. The World Cup 2018 has not been different and especially after a stellar start from the Portuguese, which has seen him score four goals in two matches, and a sub-par outing against Iceland for Messi, the pressure was on the Barcelona talisman to outperform his rival.

Messi, however, was anonymous tonight and failed miserably in leading his side from the front. The diminutive forward managed just the one shot, which wasn't on target, and misplaced 25% of his passes. Even though he drifted back to the midfield to see more of the ball, Messi could manage only 49 touches, just six more than his goalkeeper, Willy Caballero.

Messi's dream of winning the World Cup is now all but shattered and he would have to depend on favourable results from other matches of the group and hope that Argentina beat Nigeria in their final group stage match in style.