The World Cup Boot Battle: Day 8
Lionel Messi is one of the best players in the world. He’s won everything there is to win on a personal level, and it is a similar story when delving into his large archive of team achievements as well. One thing that has eluded the little magician though, is the World Cup.
And despite being one match away in 2014, retiring, coming out of retirement and single-handedly dragging his side into the World Cup finals, it looks like he may end his playing career without the biggest international trophy in his repertoire.
Missing Messi going home as Argentina get battered?
Messi going home? Argentina 0-3 Croatia
Never before has he been under so much pressure to emulate and keep up with his fierce rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who has so far blow this World Cup apart. After Argentina’s uninspiring draw to Iceland, they needed a result against Croatia… And a result they did not get.
He struggled to get into the game and was crowded out well by the Croats. The game was tense but still open. Willy Caballero then had an absolute shocker. As simple back pass was spooned high up into the air and straight to the on-rushing Ante Rebic who volleyed frantically back over the former Man City keeper.
If the first was a mistake (and it really was a terrible mistake), the second was a moment of brilliance. As if to add insult to Messi, it was a Real Madrid man who sealed his side’s fate. Luka Modric had the ball, worked a good angle and struck from 25 yards out. The ball flew into the corner and effectively ended the South American’s hopes of salvaging anything from the match.
The third came in the final minutes, where a quick break-away gave Ivan Rakitic a tap-in. Game over, 3-0. This result means Argentina will have to beat Nigeria and hope other results go their way in the last round of matches.
VAR works in AUS favour against DEN: Denmark 1-1 Australia
VAR absolutely killed Australia in their first match. Think back, they were playing a strong French side and were holding out valiantly. Then Griezmann goes down under minimal contact, and despite replays even showing that the tackling defender may have won the ball a penalty was given.
Mila Jedinak stayed calm yet again from the spot to equalise for the Aussies. Christian Eriksen had smashed the Danes in front with a stunning strike early in the match, but they did not deserve to take three points from their opponents.
Mbappe send Peru home: France 1-0
Oh no, the Peruvians are going home? We really liked them. Damn you France. First you beat Australia and now Peru. Australians bring us BBQs, Fosters, Kanga bloody roos. So way to go France, all you need to do now is target nice sunny days and Pizza and you would have destroyed all the good things we like.
Similarly to that Australian match, France weren’t too impressive. They managed to see off Peru thanks to a deflected Giroud shot that fell straight to Kylian Mbappe who was pretty much on the line when he tapped in. Why can’t England win so effortlessly without needing to play well?
France again failed to really set this tournament alight with an improved, yet still below-par performance to see off Peru.
Olivier Giroud was this time included from the start for the French and he made the telling difference for the goal. His shot was blocked in the area and deflected up over the stranded keeper and fell straight to Kylian Mbappe, who wasn’t going to miss an open goal from two yards out. In scoring, Mbappe became France’s youngest ever scorer at a World Cup, but perhaps more significantly sent his side through to the knockout stages while also eliminating Peru.
Boot of the day – Nike Mercurial Vapour XIIs (Again)
Nike Mercurial Vapour XII football boots
Luka Modric truly bossed things in the middle of the park for Croatia and scored the best goal of the match as well, firing home from 25 yards. It was a great performance to send his side through.
Goal of the day – Christian Eriksen
Eriksen’s strike to open the scoring against Australia was exquisite and as clean as you’ll see all tournament. Beautiful strike.
Assist of the day – Nicolai Jorgensen
Jorgensen’s deft little touch to set Eriksen for his strike may have been nothing outlandish or extravagant, but it was just so delicate, so perfect.
Moment of the day – Messi during the anthems
We have to credit a meme for giving us the inspiration for this one. The timing was perfect as the camera panned to Messi during the Argentinian national anthem. It showed the Barca-man looking a little distressed, as if he knew the horrors his team was about to endure. We feel for you Lionel but you aren’t going home just yet!
The World Cup Boot Battle: Day 8
Points Awarded
Denmark v Australia
Christian Eriksen +8 (Nike) – Scored a stunner and was MOTM.
Mile Jedinak +4 (Adidas) – As he did in Australia’s opener, Jedinak kept his cool from the spot to convert the penalty.
Nicolai Jorgensen +2 (Nike) – Assisted Eriksen beautifully.
France v Peru
Kylian Mbappe +4 (Nike) – Scored the easier goal of the tournament, but we don’t discriminate. They’re all worth four points.
Olivier Giroud +4 (Puma) – Didn’t start for France in their opener but made the difference today.
Hugo Lloris +3 (Nike) – Clean sheet for the Spurs keeper.
Samuel Umtiti +2 (Nike) – Clean sheet, extra credit for not trying to pick up the ball in the area this time. Well done Samuel, good progress.
Raphael Varane +2 (Nike) – Clean sheet.
Lucas Hernandez +2 (Nike) – Clean sheet.
Benjamin Pavard +2 (Adidas) – Clean sheet.
Argentina v Croatia
Dejan Lovren +2 (Nike) – Clean sheet.
Domagoj Vida +2 (Nike) – Clean sheet.
Šime Vrsaljko +2 (Nike) – Clean sheet.
Ivan Strinic +2 (Nike) – Clean sheet.
Danijel Subasic +3 (Nike) – Clean sheet.
Luka Modric +8 (Nike) – Scored from distance and was MOTM again.
Ivan Rakitic +4 (Adidas) – Scored a tap-in in the dying seconds.
Ante Rebic +4 (Nike) – Scored the opener.
Mateo Kovacic +2 (Nike) – Unselfishly assisted Rakitic.
Marcelo Brozovic +2 (Nike) – Gave it to Modric and let the midfielder do the rest.
The World Cup Boot Battle: The best football boots in the world
| Adidas | Asics | Diadora | Mizuno | New Balance | Nike | Puma | Umbro | Under Armour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 189 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 501 | 78 | 2 | 4 |
It’s a relentless effort from Nike. They keep the pace up and add to their impressive lead.
Tomorrow’s World Cup matches
Brazil v Costa Rica 13:00 (GMT)
Nigeria v Iceland 16:00 (GMT)
Serbia v Switzerland 19:00 (GMT)
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