Milan Badelj celebrates his goal for Croatia. He also had an assita nd hot the bar
Photo: Getty for FIFA.com

DAY 13 – JUNE  26 – Argentina progress with late goal; Croats still 100%

Once more Argentina will make the headlines. They were minutes from elimination before a late goal saved their World Cup. Croatia rested none players and still kept their 100% record. Peru beat a mediocre Australia side and both went home while France and Denmark played out the Final’s first scoreless draw,

Australia 0 : 2 Peru
A splendid first half volley from André Carrillo put Peru ahead. Paulo Guerrero added a second in 50 minutes against a lacklustre Australia team who had a considerable possession advantage. Australia had 14 shots but few looked like troubling Peru who were content to allow their humdrum opponents to batter at them without an overwhelming sense of danger.

Both these side are heading home at the first hurdle and in truth both do so deservedly. Peru despite a massive support have been the worst of the South American sides and that has not exactly, Uruguay apart, been tough competition.

France 0 : 0 Denmark
The Cup’s first goalless game got Denmark the point they really didn’t need anyway. It might be kindest to say that both aides had done enough work in their first three hours and took the day off.

Iceland 1 : 2 Croatia
Three second half goals ensured that already qualified Croatia kept their 100% record and shut down any chance Iceland had of qualifying. Fiorentina’s Milan Badelj scored in the 3rd minute before yet another penalty allowed Iceland to go level with Gylfi Sigurdsson being the taker despite missing one against Nigeria. Dejan Lovren’s handball rather than a foul was the cause. 

As the match was approaching stoppage time though, Ivan Perisic who plays his club football at Inter, gave the Croats their second Milan themed goal and the win. To cap it, it was Badelj who provided the assist. He also hit  the Icelandic crossbar for a Croatia side that made nine changes and rested first choice players.

Argentina 2 : 1 Nigeria
The nerves were jangling throughout this match. A superb ball through by Ever Banega set up Leo Messi for the opening goal. Argentina looked relaxed and in control of the game. However a moment of utter stupidity threw that all into doubt. Javier Mascherano gave a way the most needless and potentially damaging penalty of the cup by having his arms all around and over Leon Balogun at a set piece in full view of the referee.  Victor Moses scored the penalty.

Argentina looked to be heading out of the World Cup until a Marcus Rojo volley settled the tense and wonderful affair minutes from the end to the relief of massive Argentinian support inside the stadium.