Messi’s men in fine mess

ARGENTINA face the possibility of being eliminated from the World Cup at the group stage after Croatia progressed to the last 16 with a comprehensive 3-0 victory.

The two-time world champions have collected just one point from their first two games against Iceland and the Croatians, who advanced to the knock-out phase thanks to second-half goals from Ante Rebic, Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic.

Rebic volleyed in just after the interval when Chelsea’s reserve goalkeeper Willy Caballero inexplicably chipped an attempted pass straight to him, with Modric scoring a second with a brilliant strike from range 10 minutes from time and Rakitic placing in a third late on.

Messi, who had a penalty saved in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Iceland, was again below-par and saw Rakitic block his only real opportunity across the 90 minutes.

Australia kept their World Cup hopes alive as a contentious penalty awarded using VAR technology earned them a 1-1 draw with Group C rivals Denmark. Christian Eriksen had put Denmark ahead with a welltaken strike, only for Mile Jedinak to level from the penalty spot and secure a draw.

Kylian Mbappe fired unconvincing France into the World Cup knockout stages after a nervy 1-0 win over plucky Peru. The Paris St Germain forward scored his first goal in Russia to give Didier Deschamps’ side victory.