Survive and advance
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia – Lionel Messi and Argentina finally got things going at the World Cup.
Messi scored an exquisite 14th-minute goal to give the two-time champions the lead in a must-win game against Nigeria on Tuesday in, but it wasn’t until Marcos Rojo’s 86thminute strike that Argentina was assured of a place in the Round of 16 with a 2-1 victory.
Victor Moses scored from the penalty spot in the 51st minute for Nigeria, putting Argentina in danger of being eliminated without winning a match in Russia.
It took an unlikely goal by Rojo – a center back – to save Argentina with a cushioned volley into the corner.
The win gave the Argentines second place in Group D and allowed the soccer-mad nation to forget about the 3-0 loss to Croatia last week that sparked days of soul-searching within the squad and back home.
Argentina will play France in the last 16 in Kazan on Saturday, keeping alive Messi’s quest for a first world title. He might have retired from international soccer for a second time – and for good this time – if it wasn’t for Rojo’s goal.
Messi’s teammates poured off the bench to celebrate with him after the final whistle, forming a circle around him. Messi exchanged a long hug with teammate Javier Mascherano, who clinched him tightly.
Croatia 2, Iceland 1 CROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia – Fielding a side filled with reserves, Croatia ended Iceland’s first ever World Cup run with a win.
Milan Badelj crashed a volley against the bar, and moments later scored for Croatia in the 53th minute, sprinting into the area to fire a bouncing shot past goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson.
Croatia playmaker Luka Modric led the already-qualified Croats for 65 minutes before being taken off, as his team remained in low-gear for most of the match to contain the Icelanders who had needed a win to hope for a place in the last 16.
Iceland equalized with a penalty shot taken by Gylfi Sigurdsson in the 76th minute after substitute Dejan Lovren carelessly handled the ball. But Ivan Perisic punished a defensive error to make it 2-1 at 90 minutes.
Russian fans at the 45,000-seat Rostov Arena rooted for the underdogs as the traveling Iceland supporters kept up their singing and chanting all evening.
Defender Sverrir Ingason twice threatened for Iceland, hitting the crossbar with a header in the second half.
France 0, Denmark 0 MOSCOW – France and Denmark produced the World Cup’s first 0-0 draw at the 37th attempt amid boos and whistles from fans.
The slow-paced game was out of step with a vibrant tournament. But it advanced both teams to the Round of 16 unbeaten, with the bonus of no players suspended and no serious injuries.
The draw would always have ensured that outcome, and became inevitable in the second half. Events elsewhere in Group C made this game all but irrelevant.
France won the group and Denmark advanced as runner-up.
Peru 2, Australia 0 SOCHI, Russia – Already-eliminated Peru ended Australia’s hopes of advancing to the knockout round with a victory.
The Australians had to beat Peru and hope Denmark lost to France in the other Group C match, but neither result happened.
Andre Carrillo’s 18th-minute goal – a halfvolley from inside the area – was Peru’s first in a World Cup since 1982, the last time the South Americans played in the tournament. Peru hadn’t won a World Cup match since defeating Iran in 1978.
Australia needed the victory to reach the Round of 16 for the first time since 2006