World Cup 2018: Argentina vs Croatia - 5 players to watch out for

#1 Lionel Messi - Argentina

This could be the most important tie for Argentina

A missed penalty, 11 shots without a goal and a generally lacklustre game from Messi was enough for the Argentina fans to raise their pitchforks against him, and go back to calling Maradona their greatest player.

Anything that is not his best game here will only infuriate them further. After dragging the team to the World Cup finals, it is once again time for Messi to step into those familiar boots and this time there is barely any scope for error.

His game against Iceland was not his worst, but at the same time, it was not characteristically impactful. Against a more attack-minded Croatia team, things might be suited a lot more to his liking. His role as the No.10 will have to suffice for the time being, unless Dybala plays and Messi moves to the right, at the expense of Maximiliano Meza.

Messi might also have to drop in and help out in midfield a lot more than he would like because otherwise, the Croats will run riot against the ageing Javier Mascherano and a mostly clueless Lucas Biglia. Or will Sampaoli come to his senses and finally give us the team we deserve to see?

Playing Giovani Lo Celso will largely free up Messi, and as he has shown repeatedly over the years, his finishing is one of the best in the world. If Argentina can provide him with that freedom, we might finally see them as the contenders they were expected to be.