World Cup - Matchday 13

Welcome to another WhoReps look at the 2018 World Cup. Today we'll be recapping Tuesday's slate of matches and looking ahead to tomorrow's action! Enjoy.
                                            
When Marcos Rojo woke up this morning, he was just another member of Argentina's supremely disappointing national team. A backup defender for both club and country, he had two career international goals for Argentina, and just a single one for Manchester United. Time to add another. Rojo blasted in a beautiful right-footed volley in the 86th minute to break a 1-1 tie against Nigeria and send the Argentines into the Round of 16, warts and all. Hope he wasn't planning on getting any sleep tonight.

 
Just five days ago, after Argentina's 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Croatia, they were left for dead. Now? They have risen. All things are possible through Lionel Messi. The man who needs no introduction put the Argentines up early, with a supremely difficult thigh touch and quick strike past teenaged keeper Francis Uzoho, which he made look far easier than anyone should be able to. But Messi's first goal in this World Cup would not quite be enough to save his country's skin. Victor Moses put in a second half penalty that tied it 1-1 and ratcheted up the tension in the stadium. As the clock ticked closer and closer to 90, Rojo recieved a cross from Gabriel Mercado and took the shot that will forever be associated with him in Argentinian lore. Nothing but net.
 
St. Petersburg erupted. The legendary Diego Maradona, sitting in the stands, could hardly contain himself. But for every positive Argentine emotion, there must be an equal and opposite negative reaction elsewhere. Isaac Newton figured that out in 1687. Nigeria and Iceland were reminded of it today. Nigeria would have been in the knockout rounds with just a draw, and so nearly had it. By virtue of Iceland's disappointing 2-1 loss to a Croatia team resting its best, the Super Eagles were right on the doorstep. Instead, they are left to wonder what could have been. For every winner there must be a loser.

 
In Moscow, we had a tournament first — and it wasn't a particularly good one. France & Denmark played out the first 0-0 match of this World Cup, a listless affair that ensured they both advanced. Much to the chagrin of the paying audience, neither team seemed particularly interested in putting any sustained pressure on goal. It's a further argument for why, when there are two clear favorites in a group, they shouldn't be playing each other in the last game. When two teams are already all but through to the knockout round, it noticeably degrades the quality of the football. Elsewhere, Peru topped Australia 2-0 in a game with little on the line. The Socceroos finish last in Group C. Onward!

In the knockout rounds, France takes on Argentina, and Croatia faces off with Denmark. Stay tuned to WhoReps' as we recap it all!