Argentina v Croatia: Elite guide
Thursday 21 June 2018 14:03, UK
Uninspiring displays from the World Cup's familiar favourites have been ingrained as an early trend in Russia.
With few sides grasping the opportunity to snatch the spotlight, a refreshingly open tournament has so far glistened with last-minute drama, showreel strikes and a notable penalty miss.
We look at the Sky Sports Fantasy Six-a-Side Elite Player options ahead of Thursday night's clash between Argentina and Croatia…
Pick your Argentina v Croatia Fantasy Six-a-Side team to win £1,000
Messi looking to make up for miss
Lionel Messi will be craving the chance to make amends for his miscue from 12 yards after Argentina were forced to settle for an opening game draw against an Iceland side blossoming with their under-dog status of 2016.
The all-too convenient proximity of Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick and Messi's blunder from the spot have seen the age-old debate over the two rage on.
Fears over Argentina's cohesion across the pitch proved justified, with a stuttering attacking display serving as toothless compensation to a disjointed defensive turn out.
Overwhelmingly superior possession statistics failed to materialise into a series of defensive dissections with Sergio Aguero surfacing as the only glimmer of assistance to his captain.
Messi only managed to create three chances and find the target on two occasions on the day as Iceland's compact setup exposed few gaps to exploit.
Croatia beckons as a stern second test for the Barcelona talisman on the back of a comfortable win over a Nigeria side rarely afforded the space to threaten Danijel Subasic between the sticks.
Whilst he doesn't stand out as the unrivalled Elite Player option, Messi rarely goes missing on the biggest stage of all.
Croatia's dynamic midfield duo
The 30-year-old will have the shackles of Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic to contend with in his second outing. Both registered 54 successful passes each last time out to preview the danger Argentina face if they once again fail to inject some conviction in the final-third.
Modric complimented his ball retention and playmaking expertise with a goal in Croatia's first opening game win at the World Cup since their debut at the competition in 1998.
The Real Madrid man struck a natural balance alongside Rakitic to alternate in their contributions at either end of the pitch.
Three clearances each were matched by three chances created each to showcase the threat both pose if allowed to retain possession against an unorganised Argentina.
Argentine counterparts Javier Mascherano and Lucas Biglia may well become a new-look midfield duo in light of their ineffectiveness against Iceland.
With arguably a more talented cast of attacking stars than an Iceland side that seriously troubled Argentina defensively, Croatia will feel they are equipped to go one better with two of the top passing visionaries in European football.
Help for Messi?
Angel Di Maria could play a role in one of the defining duels of the contest if positioned against Croatia winger Ivan Perisic.
It promises to be a monumental test of the Paris Saint-Germain star's work ethic and tactical discipline as he tends to the energy and aggressions of his opposite.
The onus will equally be on the former Manchester United man to restrict Perisic with his own attacking ability as a leading ball-carrier in Argentina's efforts to break forward quickly.
A lack of creativity in midfield could also see Di Maria shifted centrally as a means of regularly getting him on the ball and initiating attacks with his bursts from deep.
Messi's frustration against Iceland was contributed by a relatively non-existent bridge from defence to attack, thereby demanding the presence of a more forward-thinking figure alongside Mascherano.
Di Maria was no exception against Iceland, struggling to impose himself like many of his teammates with a mere two chances created and 29 successful passes before being replaced by Cristian Pavón in the 75th minute.
He looms as an ideal man to punch a hole in Croatia's well-organised system and limit the freedom of Modric and Rakitic to look up and act on their own attacking ambitions.
