World Cup 2018: 4 players who will be crucial to Argentina's success in the knockouts

#1 Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi

There is no better person to carry Argentina's World Cup dreams forward than this man, Lionel Messi. Stepping up when it matters the most is nothing new for Messi whose hat-trick in their final World Cup qualifying fixture against Ecuador last year earned Argentina a spot in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

The game against Nigeria was no different, as their Talisman once again stepped up by braking the deadlock in the 14th minute with a brilliant goal, courtesy of Banega's decisive lob pass over the top.

Messi controlled the ball well and blasted it past the Nigerian keeper in style to open the scoring for Argentina. He was everywhere on the pitch, running at full pace and dribbling past the opposition.

He finished the game with 90 touches, 64 passes, 7 dribbles, 2 shots on target and an all-important opening goal for Albiceleste which earned him the Man of the match.

Messi was criticized for missing the crucial penalty against Iceland and for a poor performance against Croatia. But he silenced his critics with a brilliant display of football under pressure against Nigeria and proved once again why he is one of the all time greats.

The FC Barcelona star needs to replicate his magic in the Round of 16 against the mighty French to secure an Argentine win.