In the 2018 FIFA World Cup group stage, Argentina faced off against Croatia on June 21st. The match, held at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Russia, was a highly anticipated clash featuring some of the world's best football talents.

Croatia delivered a masterclass in football, defeating Argentina 3-0 in a stunning display of skill and strategy. The first goal came in the 53rd minute, when Croatia's Ante Rebić capitalized on a rare mistake by Argentine goalkeeper Willy Caballero. This set the tone for the rest of the match, with Croatia dominating possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities.

Luka Modrić extended Croatia's lead in the 80th minute with a brilliant long-range strike, further solidifying his status as one of the tournament's standout players. Finally, Ivan Rakitić put the match beyond doubt in stoppage time, capping off a perfect counter-attack.

Argentina struggled to find their rhythm throughout the match, with Lionel Messi tightly marked and unable to influence the game. The defeat was a major setback for Argentina's World Cup campaign and highlighted the team's defensive vulnerabilities and lack of cohesion.

This match was a turning point for both teams. For Croatia, it marked their emergence as serious contenders, eventually leading them to the World Cup final. For Argentina, it was a sobering reminder of the challenges they faced and the improvements needed to compete at the highest level.

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