Argentina moves on to round of 16
Lionel Messi and Argentina finally came alive at the World Cup.
Messi scored an exquisite 14th-minute goal to give the two-time champions the lead Tuesday but it wasn’t until Marcos Rojo’s 86th-minute strike that Argentina was assured of a place in the round of 16 with a 2-1 victory over Nigeria.
Victor Moses scored a penalty in the 51st minute for Nigeria in Saint Petersburg, Russia, putting Argentina in danger of being eliminated without winning a match.
It took an unlikely goal by Rojo to save Argentina and give it second place in Group D.
Croatia 2, Iceland 1: Fielding a side filled with reserves, Croatia ended Iceland’s first ever World Cup run.
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.
Peru 2, Australia 0: Back at the World Cup for the first time since 1982, Peru isn’t leaving Russia empty handed.
The Peruvians failed to score a goal in their opening two matches, but the team finally gave its fans a reason to celebrate when it ended Australia’s hopes of advancing to the knockout round.
The Australians had to beat Peru and hope Denmark lost to France in the other Group C match, but neither result occurred.
Denmark 0, France 0: A game no team needed to win became the game no fan would want to watch.
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. France will now play Argentina, and Denmark faces Croatia.