ARGIES ON THE BRINK

from EDDIE KIRK shambolic performance but the keeper had no chance when Luka Modric curled home a stunning 80th-minute strike.

Nicolas Otamendi had been fortunate to escape a red card and he wasn’t the only one in an ill-tempered game. Croatia’s path to the knockout stages was confirmed when Ivan Rakitic – who had earlier hit the crossbar – struck late on to make it three.

It was all so easy as sub Mateo Kovacic had time to square the rebound for Rakitic to slide into an empty net in injury-time.

Messi, who could retire from international football after the World Cup, cut a forlorn figure as Argentina slumped.