ARG 0 CRO 3: Lionel Messi can console himself with World Cup replica

A far superior Croatia stunned heavyweights Argentina 3-0 at Nizhny Novgorod on June 21, to qualify for the knockout stages and leave their opponents' fate hanging by a thread in a crunch Group D encounter here.

Second half goals during the match on Thursday from Ante Rebic (53rd minute), Luka Modric (80th minute) and Ivan Rakitic (90+1 minute) ensured Croatia stretched their winning run to two games after they breezed past Nigeria 2-0 in their opener.

Lionel Messi's Argentina, who drew with minnows Iceland in their first game of the competition, will now have to depend on favours from other teams in their group after winning against Nigeria in their last engagement to harbour any hopes of advancing to the next stage. The 2014 World Cup finalists have one point from two games while Croatia have six from two outings.

The game started with Croatia's Ivan Perisic forcing Argentina goalkeeper Wilfredo Caballero's into a low save for a corner in the 5th minute.

Messi nearly got on the end of a sumptuous lobbed ball into the box two minutes later, but his outstretched toe could not reach it with Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic caught in no-man's land. Sergio Aguero forced a save in the 53rd minute with a quick turn and shot from the left of the box.

Seconds later, Croatia were celebrating their opener after a Caballero blunder handed Rebic a golden chance. The Chelsea keeper tried a chipped pass over Rebic but the ball fell to the winger, who volleyed over Caballero to give his side the lead.

Meza's shot at the near post was well-saved by Subasic as Argentina looked to equalise. All their hopes, though, were dashed in the 80th minute when Real Madrid man Modric curled home a remarkable effort from outside the box.

Rakitic then completed the rout in second-half-stoppage time—the FC Barcelona midfielder passing past Caballero after the Argentine defence gave up on the play in their own box.

Messi to receive World Cup replica as birthday gift

According to Sports Minister of the Moscow Region Roman Teryushkov, Argentina national football team captain Lionel Messi, who celebrates his 31st birthday on June 24, will receive a strange, but valuable, gift from the Moscow region, a copy of the FIFA World Cup made from traditional Russian Gzhel ceramics.

An unusual copy of the FIFA World Cup, as well as a birthday cake has been made for Messi by the people of Bronnitsy, where the players are residing. It might cheer up Argentina, which is now facing catching the flight home before the knockout stages begin, reports Sputnik news agency.

"The Argentinian national team is world-renowned, so, naturally, we could not forget about such an important event as the birthday of its captain," said Teryushkov.

Argentina is struggling in group D after its 1-1 draw against Iceland and 0-3 loss to Croatia. The team will now play against Nigeria on June 26.