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..::Football IV::..
- Thread starter Wolverine GTR
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Full Time
Serbia 1 Vs 2 Switzerland
Serbia Goal(s)
A.Mitrovic 05'
&
Switzerland Goal(s)
G.Xhaka 52'
X.Shaqiri 90'
Serbia Goal(s)
A.Mitrovic 05'
&
Switzerland Goal(s)
G.Xhaka 52'
X.Shaqiri 90'
Barcelona make approach for Mexico hero Lozano, father confirms
Hirving Lozano's father has confirmed that Barcelona have made an approach for the Mexico international.
Lozano, known as 'Chucky', rocked world champions Germany in Mexico's opening match at the 2018 World Cup, scoring the winning goal in his side's stunning 1-0 victory.
The 22-year-old enjoyed a breakout season at PSV Eindhoven in 2017-18, scoring 19 goals and providing 11 assists in 34 appearances in all competitions, and his World Cup debut appears to have gained him even more admirers.
Indeed, Jesus Lozano has confirmed that the Catalan giants are interested in his son's services, but he is unsure if a move will be sanctioned this summer."There's been an approach from Barça but there's nothing clear at the moment," Lozano Sr. told ESPN Mexico.
"When the World Cup's over, we will have a better idea of the reality: if he will stay at PSV or move to another team."Lozano will again be in action when Mexico face South Korea on Saturday, before they take on Sweden next week.
It remains to be seen if he will move to Spain, however, with Manchester City, Chelsea and Everton also touted as potential destinations for Lozano.
Indeed, Mexico manager Juan Carlos Osorio believes that his star man would thrive in the Premier League. "I just think that whoever takes a chance on him will do well. His pace and again his ability to take people on, he can play in any league and any place," he told Sky Sports News."I think he will be able to - and he has the tools to play - in the Premier League."
Hirving Lozano's father has confirmed that Barcelona have made an approach for the Mexico international.
Lozano, known as 'Chucky', rocked world champions Germany in Mexico's opening match at the 2018 World Cup, scoring the winning goal in his side's stunning 1-0 victory.
The 22-year-old enjoyed a breakout season at PSV Eindhoven in 2017-18, scoring 19 goals and providing 11 assists in 34 appearances in all competitions, and his World Cup debut appears to have gained him even more admirers.
Indeed, Jesus Lozano has confirmed that the Catalan giants are interested in his son's services, but he is unsure if a move will be sanctioned this summer."There's been an approach from Barça but there's nothing clear at the moment," Lozano Sr. told ESPN Mexico.
"When the World Cup's over, we will have a better idea of the reality: if he will stay at PSV or move to another team."Lozano will again be in action when Mexico face South Korea on Saturday, before they take on Sweden next week.
It remains to be seen if he will move to Spain, however, with Manchester City, Chelsea and Everton also touted as potential destinations for Lozano.
Indeed, Mexico manager Juan Carlos Osorio believes that his star man would thrive in the Premier League. "I just think that whoever takes a chance on him will do well. His pace and again his ability to take people on, he can play in any league and any place," he told Sky Sports News."I think he will be able to - and he has the tools to play - in the Premier League."
Ronaldo will always be the best, Fonte claims
Portugal defender Jose Fonte thinks international team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo will always be the best player in the world.
The Real Madrid star has enjoyed blistering form in the World Cup in Russia, scoring four goals in his opening two matches to help propel Portugal towards the knockout stages - including a hat-trick against Iberian rivals Spain.Ronaldo then scored the only goal of the game in Portugal's 1-0 victory over Morocco and is tipped as the favourite to win the Golden Boot.
While a debate among football fans continues to rumble on as to who is the best between Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi, Fonte is in no doubt."I think that for us Portuguese he is the best, he always will be," Fonte said.
"This is always a difficult debate. For us he is the best and this is what matters.
Cristiano is ours but talking about the best of all time is relative and very difficult to say. "The fact that he is breaking all records, keeps scoring and surprises all of you, but not us because we see him every day. For sure he will keep on doing this. At the end we will see."
Ronaldo has been the stand-out performer for Portugal in their World Cup campaign so far, leading to some suggestions that they are overly reliant on their all-time record scorer. But Fonte believes it is understandable."It's obvious Ronaldo has a huge influence in our team. It would be the same in any other team in the world," he added.
"But he's Portuguese and we're lucky to have him. We have to play in a way that suits the players we have and we have Cristiano Ronaldo."
Portugal defender Jose Fonte thinks international team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo will always be the best player in the world.
The Real Madrid star has enjoyed blistering form in the World Cup in Russia, scoring four goals in his opening two matches to help propel Portugal towards the knockout stages - including a hat-trick against Iberian rivals Spain.Ronaldo then scored the only goal of the game in Portugal's 1-0 victory over Morocco and is tipped as the favourite to win the Golden Boot.
While a debate among football fans continues to rumble on as to who is the best between Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi, Fonte is in no doubt."I think that for us Portuguese he is the best, he always will be," Fonte said.
"This is always a difficult debate. For us he is the best and this is what matters.
Cristiano is ours but talking about the best of all time is relative and very difficult to say. "The fact that he is breaking all records, keeps scoring and surprises all of you, but not us because we see him every day. For sure he will keep on doing this. At the end we will see."
Ronaldo has been the stand-out performer for Portugal in their World Cup campaign so far, leading to some suggestions that they are overly reliant on their all-time record scorer. But Fonte believes it is understandable."It's obvious Ronaldo has a huge influence in our team. It would be the same in any other team in the world," he added.
"But he's Portuguese and we're lucky to have him. We have to play in a way that suits the players we have and we have Cristiano Ronaldo."
'Crying is good' - Thiago Silva reassures Neymar after tearful Brazil win
Thiago Silva said Neymar's tears at the end of Brazil's 2-0 victory over Costa Rica showed the forward knows what it means to play at a World Cup, and said the outburst would have "taken a heavy load" off his shoulders.Neymar put his head in his hands after scoring Brazil's second goal in the 97th minute at Krestovsky Stadium, bent over in emotion for a few minutes after the final whistle in St Petersburg on Friday.
Brazil had to wait until the 91st minute to open the scoring, Philippe Coutinho finding the net for the second time in the tournament, and Neymar's goal came after a week in which he was criticised for a below-par performance against Switzerland on his return to competitive football after a lengthy injury.
"I think you have to vent, you've taken a heavy load off your back," Silva told Globo Esporte."[Crying] is good, I said to him: 'You really cry only when you know what it took to be here in this cup."
Selecao boss Tite said Neymar's show of emotions was courageous and voiced his respect for the star player. "I didn't talk to Neymar, I only had contact with Coutinho, I did not see [him crying]. I can't evaluate it, but one thing I can tell you: the joy and pride of representing the Selecao is great," he said.
"He has the responsibility, the joy, the pressure and the courage to express this feeling. I, for example, am an emotive guy, but each one has his own characteristics. I respect the characteristics of each player."Silva acknowledged that Brazil, having taken four points from their opening two games, will be under less pressure in their final Group E match against Serbia.
But should the game go down to the wire, the Paris Saint-Germain defender said his team-mates have shown a never-say-die attitude.
"The third game will be quieter," he said."When you win a game like this, as the lights are going down, this automatically gives you peace of mind for the next game because we played a great match today."The great merit of this team was not giving up at any time. We say: 'Let's go to the end'."
Thiago Silva said Neymar's tears at the end of Brazil's 2-0 victory over Costa Rica showed the forward knows what it means to play at a World Cup, and said the outburst would have "taken a heavy load" off his shoulders.Neymar put his head in his hands after scoring Brazil's second goal in the 97th minute at Krestovsky Stadium, bent over in emotion for a few minutes after the final whistle in St Petersburg on Friday.
Brazil had to wait until the 91st minute to open the scoring, Philippe Coutinho finding the net for the second time in the tournament, and Neymar's goal came after a week in which he was criticised for a below-par performance against Switzerland on his return to competitive football after a lengthy injury.
"I think you have to vent, you've taken a heavy load off your back," Silva told Globo Esporte."[Crying] is good, I said to him: 'You really cry only when you know what it took to be here in this cup."
Selecao boss Tite said Neymar's show of emotions was courageous and voiced his respect for the star player. "I didn't talk to Neymar, I only had contact with Coutinho, I did not see [him crying]. I can't evaluate it, but one thing I can tell you: the joy and pride of representing the Selecao is great," he said.
"He has the responsibility, the joy, the pressure and the courage to express this feeling. I, for example, am an emotive guy, but each one has his own characteristics. I respect the characteristics of each player."Silva acknowledged that Brazil, having taken four points from their opening two games, will be under less pressure in their final Group E match against Serbia.
But should the game go down to the wire, the Paris Saint-Germain defender said his team-mates have shown a never-say-die attitude.
"The third game will be quieter," he said."When you win a game like this, as the lights are going down, this automatically gives you peace of mind for the next game because we played a great match today."The great merit of this team was not giving up at any time. We say: 'Let's go to the end'."
Real Madrid sign Ukrainian starlet goalkeeper Lunin
Real Madrid have confirmed the signing of 19-year-old Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.Lunin joins from Zorya Luhansk in the Ukrainian Premier League, where he made 29 league appearances in the 2017-18 season, signing a six-year deal with the Spanish side.
The teenager is considered one of the top goalkeeping prospects in Europe, and had attracted interest from several Premier League sides, including Liverpool, while Juventus and Inter were also said to be tracking him.
It is a dream come true for the player, who revealed in 2017 that his goal was to play for one of the world's best teams."Real is my favourite team," he said. "Of course, I would like to be there some day, to play for that club at that level.”
Lunin began his professional career at Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, making his debut as a 17-year-old and quickly cementing himself as first choice before joining Zorya Luhansk last summer.The Krasnogard native was a key player for Zorya as they finished fourth in the league and played in the Europa League group stage, where Lunin impressed against Athletic Club.
He became the youngest goalkeeper to feature for Ukraine in his senior international debut in a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia in March and earned his second cap in a 4-1 win over Albania in a friendly earlier this month.
Real Madrid have confirmed the signing of 19-year-old Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.Lunin joins from Zorya Luhansk in the Ukrainian Premier League, where he made 29 league appearances in the 2017-18 season, signing a six-year deal with the Spanish side.
The teenager is considered one of the top goalkeeping prospects in Europe, and had attracted interest from several Premier League sides, including Liverpool, while Juventus and Inter were also said to be tracking him.
It is a dream come true for the player, who revealed in 2017 that his goal was to play for one of the world's best teams."Real is my favourite team," he said. "Of course, I would like to be there some day, to play for that club at that level.”
Lunin began his professional career at Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, making his debut as a 17-year-old and quickly cementing himself as first choice before joining Zorya Luhansk last summer.The Krasnogard native was a key player for Zorya as they finished fourth in the league and played in the Europa League group stage, where Lunin impressed against Athletic Club.
He became the youngest goalkeeper to feature for Ukraine in his senior international debut in a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia in March and earned his second cap in a 4-1 win over Albania in a friendly earlier this month.
'He is a human being' - tearful Neymar backed by Brazil coach Tite
Neymar has been offered support by his coach Tite after the Brazil star was seen crying at the end of the 2-0 victory over Costa Rica.The Paris Saint-Germain forward was involved in a controversial incident in the second half when he was awarded a penalty, only for it to be overturned following a VAR intervention.
Neymar went to ground when tussling for the ball with Giancarlo Gonzalez, when the game was still goalless, with referee Bjorn Kuipers going back on his original decision after replays suggested the forward had tumbled too easily .
It looked like being the game's biggest talking point until Philippe Coutinho and Neymar each scored in injury time to earn Brazil a crucial 2-0 win in the Group E contest in St Petersburg.Tite later addressed the media to say he would have backed his first instinct and offered his support to Neymar.
"If I was the referee I wouldn't go back on my decision but I respect that because it's subject to interpretation," said the 57-year-old. "We don't need referees in order to win the game; we just want it to be fair. You should look at all of the plays and then make a decision. For me it was a penalty."We don't need any help - the athletes and the coach don't want any help to win." After the match, an emotional Neymar was seen in tears with his head in his hands , a moment Tite says he did not see.
He added: "I just went to my corner and waited for the adrenaline to calm down. I didn't even see it."I think the joy, the satisfaction and the pride of representing Brazil is a lot. He has the responsibility, the joy, the pressure and the courage to show it."Every person shows it the way they can. I am a very emotional guy and I respect the individual characteristics."
Tite said that Neymar, who endured a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a metatarsal injury before the World Cup, is still regaining form and full fitness as Brazil's Group E campaign unfolds.He backed the 26-year-old to get back to his best, saying: "His individuality shows up if the whole group is playing well so you can't put the responsibility on one player.
"I have to take my responsibility, so does everyone else on the team. He was three-and-a-half months out with injury.
"He is a human being – he needs some time to resume his high standard. Before he does that there is a team that has to be strong and not dependent on him.
"He's going to make it. He's going to reach the top, you'll see."
Neymar has been offered support by his coach Tite after the Brazil star was seen crying at the end of the 2-0 victory over Costa Rica.The Paris Saint-Germain forward was involved in a controversial incident in the second half when he was awarded a penalty, only for it to be overturned following a VAR intervention.
Neymar went to ground when tussling for the ball with Giancarlo Gonzalez, when the game was still goalless, with referee Bjorn Kuipers going back on his original decision after replays suggested the forward had tumbled too easily .
It looked like being the game's biggest talking point until Philippe Coutinho and Neymar each scored in injury time to earn Brazil a crucial 2-0 win in the Group E contest in St Petersburg.Tite later addressed the media to say he would have backed his first instinct and offered his support to Neymar.
"If I was the referee I wouldn't go back on my decision but I respect that because it's subject to interpretation," said the 57-year-old. "We don't need referees in order to win the game; we just want it to be fair. You should look at all of the plays and then make a decision. For me it was a penalty."We don't need any help - the athletes and the coach don't want any help to win." After the match, an emotional Neymar was seen in tears with his head in his hands , a moment Tite says he did not see.
He added: "I just went to my corner and waited for the adrenaline to calm down. I didn't even see it."I think the joy, the satisfaction and the pride of representing Brazil is a lot. He has the responsibility, the joy, the pressure and the courage to show it."Every person shows it the way they can. I am a very emotional guy and I respect the individual characteristics."
Tite said that Neymar, who endured a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a metatarsal injury before the World Cup, is still regaining form and full fitness as Brazil's Group E campaign unfolds.He backed the 26-year-old to get back to his best, saying: "His individuality shows up if the whole group is playing well so you can't put the responsibility on one player.
"I have to take my responsibility, so does everyone else on the team. He was three-and-a-half months out with injury.
"He is a human being – he needs some time to resume his high standard. Before he does that there is a team that has to be strong and not dependent on him.
"He's going to make it. He's going to reach the top, you'll see."
Serbia 1 Switzerland 2: Shaqiri strikes late to clinch crucial comeback victory
Xherdan Shaqiri scored a last-minute winner to give Switzerland one foot in the last 16 of the World Cup after a 2-1 victory over Serbia.
The Stoke City forward kept his cool to put the finishing touch on a brilliant second-half fightback from Vladimir Petkovic's side that began when Granit Xhaka scored a thunderous equaliser early in the second half.Arsenal midfielder Xhaka defied Switzerland's reputation as a side lacking in attacking threat when he rattled the ball into the net from 25 yards, pulling his team back into a game that had threatened to get away from them.
Aleksandar Mitrovic wreaked havoc in Switzerland's box throughout the first half, scoring the second opportunity presented to him for a Serbia team that looked assured and confident after beating Costa Rica 1-0 in their first game.But their early energy and poise faded and the defeat leaves Mladen Krstajic's team heading into their last Group E game against Brazil knowing only a win can guarantee them a spot in the knockout stages.
Meanwhile Switzerland will meet already-eliminated Costa Rica and the way they improved throughout the course of this game will give their Bosnian coach every confidence that they can secure the point they need against Costa Rica to be sure of a place in the knockout stages for the second consecutive World Cup.
Switzerland failed to deal with the threat of Mitrovic as the Newcastle United striker terrorised their defence from the outset, drawing a reaction save from Yann Sommer after five minutes and then finding the net shortly after. Dusan Tadic burst down the right and checked back onto his left foot to whip in a cross that Mitrovic met with a well-aimed header into the left side of the net beyond Sommer's reach.
Blerim Dzemaili dragged a shot wide from inside the penalty area as Switzerland began to probe for a way back into the game, but Serbia pressed and harried them and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic fired narrowly wide with a rising 20-yard drive.
With almost half an hour played Steven Zuber found a hole in the Serbia defence and threaded a pass for Dzemaili who drew a good one-handed save from Vladimir Stojkovic down to the goalkeeper's right.
Switzerland were fortunate to go in only 1-0 down at half-time, though, after a corner found Dusko Tosic unmarked at the far post, only for the defender to scuff wide.Having looked tentative in the final third all game, Switzerland were anything but after 52 minutes when Shaqiri's shot rebounded back to Xhaka and the midfielder let fly from 25 yards, bulging the far corner of the net with a curling drive.
Shaqiri hit the frame of the goal with a bending effort of his own before Mitrovic was denied an opportunity at the other end by some extremely close marking, the 23-year-old being wrestled to the ground by Fabian Schar and Stephan Lichtsteiner at the far post with no protection from the officials.Switzerland substitute Mario Gavranovic was flagged offside as he hit the side-netting with what looked like a golden opportunity, but the break seemed to put the wind in the Swiss sails.
And, in the final minute of normal time, Gavranovic played a superb throughball to Shaqiri, who outpaced Tosic and nutmegged Stojkovic with a low finish that sent the Swiss fans wild and allowed his country to dream of the knockout phase.
Xherdan Shaqiri scored a last-minute winner to give Switzerland one foot in the last 16 of the World Cup after a 2-1 victory over Serbia.
The Stoke City forward kept his cool to put the finishing touch on a brilliant second-half fightback from Vladimir Petkovic's side that began when Granit Xhaka scored a thunderous equaliser early in the second half.Arsenal midfielder Xhaka defied Switzerland's reputation as a side lacking in attacking threat when he rattled the ball into the net from 25 yards, pulling his team back into a game that had threatened to get away from them.
Aleksandar Mitrovic wreaked havoc in Switzerland's box throughout the first half, scoring the second opportunity presented to him for a Serbia team that looked assured and confident after beating Costa Rica 1-0 in their first game.But their early energy and poise faded and the defeat leaves Mladen Krstajic's team heading into their last Group E game against Brazil knowing only a win can guarantee them a spot in the knockout stages.
Meanwhile Switzerland will meet already-eliminated Costa Rica and the way they improved throughout the course of this game will give their Bosnian coach every confidence that they can secure the point they need against Costa Rica to be sure of a place in the knockout stages for the second consecutive World Cup.
Switzerland failed to deal with the threat of Mitrovic as the Newcastle United striker terrorised their defence from the outset, drawing a reaction save from Yann Sommer after five minutes and then finding the net shortly after. Dusan Tadic burst down the right and checked back onto his left foot to whip in a cross that Mitrovic met with a well-aimed header into the left side of the net beyond Sommer's reach.
Blerim Dzemaili dragged a shot wide from inside the penalty area as Switzerland began to probe for a way back into the game, but Serbia pressed and harried them and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic fired narrowly wide with a rising 20-yard drive.
With almost half an hour played Steven Zuber found a hole in the Serbia defence and threaded a pass for Dzemaili who drew a good one-handed save from Vladimir Stojkovic down to the goalkeeper's right.
Switzerland were fortunate to go in only 1-0 down at half-time, though, after a corner found Dusko Tosic unmarked at the far post, only for the defender to scuff wide.Having looked tentative in the final third all game, Switzerland were anything but after 52 minutes when Shaqiri's shot rebounded back to Xhaka and the midfielder let fly from 25 yards, bulging the far corner of the net with a curling drive.
Shaqiri hit the frame of the goal with a bending effort of his own before Mitrovic was denied an opportunity at the other end by some extremely close marking, the 23-year-old being wrestled to the ground by Fabian Schar and Stephan Lichtsteiner at the far post with no protection from the officials.Switzerland substitute Mario Gavranovic was flagged offside as he hit the side-netting with what looked like a golden opportunity, but the break seemed to put the wind in the Swiss sails.
And, in the final minute of normal time, Gavranovic played a superb throughball to Shaqiri, who outpaced Tosic and nutmegged Stojkovic with a low finish that sent the Swiss fans wild and allowed his country to dream of the knockout phase.
'Matic has amazing qualities' - Lichtsteiner praises Man Utd midfielder ahead of new Premier League campaign
New Arsenal signing Stephan Lichsteiner has praised Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic, describing him as a player with "amazing qualities".The defensive midfielder picked up a yellow card for a foul on Lichtsteiner during the first-half of Serbia's 2-1 World Cup defeat to Switzerland, but that left no lasting mark on the right-back's opinion of the 29-year-old.
Lichtsteiner will come up against Matic next season in the Premier League as Arsenal begin life under new manager Unai Emery. The Swiss captain is one of many new arrivals at the club, joining goalkeeper Bernd Leno and defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos, who is due to arrive in London at the start of July.
The 35-year-old's first English top flight game against United will come on December 4 when Arsenal visit Old Trafford and Lichtsteiner is well aware of the qualities Matic can show for their rivals."Matic is an amazing player. Also as a player, I like him a lot," Lichtsteiner told Goal.
"I have heard from many people that he his a nice person. He has amazing qualities and is an amazing character." The new Arsenal signing also had praise for former Premier League players Xherdan Shaqiri and Aleksandar Kolarov, praising his international team-mate for his impact against Serbia where he scored the late goal to seal the win.
Kolarov was part of a determined Serbia side who took the lead before goals from Albanian-Swiss duo Granit Xhaka and Shaqiri sealed three points for the central Europeans, with the pair both celebrating in controversial circumstances.
"I am very happy with Shaqiri. Very happy. He played very well, as did all our players."Kolarov is also very good. I like the Serbian team. But there is this history between them and the Albanians in our team, so it was not easy."Switzerland play Costa Rica in their final Group E game on June 27, with a win guaranteeing them a spot in the knockout round.
New Arsenal signing Stephan Lichsteiner has praised Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic, describing him as a player with "amazing qualities".The defensive midfielder picked up a yellow card for a foul on Lichtsteiner during the first-half of Serbia's 2-1 World Cup defeat to Switzerland, but that left no lasting mark on the right-back's opinion of the 29-year-old.
Lichtsteiner will come up against Matic next season in the Premier League as Arsenal begin life under new manager Unai Emery. The Swiss captain is one of many new arrivals at the club, joining goalkeeper Bernd Leno and defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos, who is due to arrive in London at the start of July.
The 35-year-old's first English top flight game against United will come on December 4 when Arsenal visit Old Trafford and Lichtsteiner is well aware of the qualities Matic can show for their rivals."Matic is an amazing player. Also as a player, I like him a lot," Lichtsteiner told Goal.
"I have heard from many people that he his a nice person. He has amazing qualities and is an amazing character." The new Arsenal signing also had praise for former Premier League players Xherdan Shaqiri and Aleksandar Kolarov, praising his international team-mate for his impact against Serbia where he scored the late goal to seal the win.
Kolarov was part of a determined Serbia side who took the lead before goals from Albanian-Swiss duo Granit Xhaka and Shaqiri sealed three points for the central Europeans, with the pair both celebrating in controversial circumstances.
"I am very happy with Shaqiri. Very happy. He played very well, as did all our players."Kolarov is also very good. I like the Serbian team. But there is this history between them and the Albanians in our team, so it was not easy."Switzerland play Costa Rica in their final Group E game on June 27, with a win guaranteeing them a spot in the knockout round.
Argentina were so bad I didn't want Messi's jersey - Croatia hero Rebic
Ante Rebic was so disappointed in Argentina's performance and conduct in Croatia's 3-0 win over them that he decided not to ask Lionel Messi to swap jerseys.
Rebic opened the scoring in the second half when he capitalised on a Willy Caballero error to volley past the goalkeeper before Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic completed a resounding win as Croatia booked their spot in the last-16 of the World Cup.Croatia defender Sime Vrsaljko taunted the Argentina players for their reaction to the loss, saying they were "crying like girls", and Rebic was even more disappointed with Messi and Co.
"To be honest, I wanted to get Messi's jersey for my friend, who is a big fan of Leo," the 24-year-old player told Goal. "But the Argentines made such a bad impression on me that I gave up on asking Messi for his jersey.
"Honestly, I expected much more. At least of those players from the Premier League, who are used to a high tempo and duels. You saw Nicolas Otamendi - in the fourth minute Mandzukic passed by him and he was rolling on the floor. I am disappointed by their behaviour and lack of fair play, not to mention how they provoked us. An athlete should know how to deal with defeat."
The Eintracht Frankfurt player moved his criticism on to referee Ravshan Irmatov, suggesting the Uzbek did not have enough experience at the top level to run such a game."The referee was not of a quality level and it is not the first time it has happened at the World Cup, with many referees without experience in some of biggest competitions like the Champions League.
"We felt a lot of decisions went Argentina's way, so I was sure he wasn't going to show me a second yellow card. I appreciate this is the World Cup and you have to have referees from all over, but it's important that these matches be led by referees who can match the importance and the pace of the match. For example, the referee didn't even have football boots but only regular sneakers! That shocked us.
"I feel sorry to be nervous about some referee's decisions now rather than enjoying my goal and the fact we smashed Argentina. When Otamendi deliberately kicked Rakitic with the ball, that was clear red card. But, it only makes our victory sweeter."
Rebic scuppered an opportunity in the first half when he sent an effort wide of the target but recovered shortly after the break, and was delighted to see the ball hit the top corner of the net after Caballero's wild pass fell perfectly for him.
"I don't even know how many messages I received after the match!" he added. "This was the best game I've played for Croatia and, along with the recent German Cup final against Bayern, the best in my career.
"I've looked at my goal 100 times by now. Turned out pretty good, didn't it? I thought defenders would catch me if I was to bring the ball down and control it before shooting, so I shot first time without thinking much."I had big chance at the end of first half. I did everything wrong: first touch, shot, I didn't pass the ball... Luckily the half-time break arrived, I needed it to pull myself together.
"After the Nigeria game we didn't celebrate much. I spent most of the time at the doping test, but this time we celebrated in the locker room, the bus, the plane... But, we shouldn't stop here, now that we've passed the group stage."
Ante Rebic was so disappointed in Argentina's performance and conduct in Croatia's 3-0 win over them that he decided not to ask Lionel Messi to swap jerseys.
Rebic opened the scoring in the second half when he capitalised on a Willy Caballero error to volley past the goalkeeper before Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic completed a resounding win as Croatia booked their spot in the last-16 of the World Cup.Croatia defender Sime Vrsaljko taunted the Argentina players for their reaction to the loss, saying they were "crying like girls", and Rebic was even more disappointed with Messi and Co.
"To be honest, I wanted to get Messi's jersey for my friend, who is a big fan of Leo," the 24-year-old player told Goal. "But the Argentines made such a bad impression on me that I gave up on asking Messi for his jersey.
"Honestly, I expected much more. At least of those players from the Premier League, who are used to a high tempo and duels. You saw Nicolas Otamendi - in the fourth minute Mandzukic passed by him and he was rolling on the floor. I am disappointed by their behaviour and lack of fair play, not to mention how they provoked us. An athlete should know how to deal with defeat."
The Eintracht Frankfurt player moved his criticism on to referee Ravshan Irmatov, suggesting the Uzbek did not have enough experience at the top level to run such a game."The referee was not of a quality level and it is not the first time it has happened at the World Cup, with many referees without experience in some of biggest competitions like the Champions League.
"We felt a lot of decisions went Argentina's way, so I was sure he wasn't going to show me a second yellow card. I appreciate this is the World Cup and you have to have referees from all over, but it's important that these matches be led by referees who can match the importance and the pace of the match. For example, the referee didn't even have football boots but only regular sneakers! That shocked us.
"I feel sorry to be nervous about some referee's decisions now rather than enjoying my goal and the fact we smashed Argentina. When Otamendi deliberately kicked Rakitic with the ball, that was clear red card. But, it only makes our victory sweeter."
Rebic scuppered an opportunity in the first half when he sent an effort wide of the target but recovered shortly after the break, and was delighted to see the ball hit the top corner of the net after Caballero's wild pass fell perfectly for him.
"I don't even know how many messages I received after the match!" he added. "This was the best game I've played for Croatia and, along with the recent German Cup final against Bayern, the best in my career.
"I've looked at my goal 100 times by now. Turned out pretty good, didn't it? I thought defenders would catch me if I was to bring the ball down and control it before shooting, so I shot first time without thinking much."I had big chance at the end of first half. I did everything wrong: first touch, shot, I didn't pass the ball... Luckily the half-time break arrived, I needed it to pull myself together.
"After the Nigeria game we didn't celebrate much. I spent most of the time at the doping test, but this time we celebrated in the locker room, the bus, the plane... But, we shouldn't stop here, now that we've passed the group stage."
Sigurdsson: Missed penalty 'toughest moment' of my career
Iceland captain Gylfi Sigurdsson described his missed penalty against Nigeria as the "toughest moment" of his career.
With the Scandinavian minnows 2-0 down following two strikes from Ahmed Musa in Volgograd they threatened a dramatic comeback having won an 80th minute penalty.Everton star Sigurdsson stepped up from the spot but could only send his effort over the crossbar.
"It's tough to take. It's probably the toughest moment of my career," he said when speaking to Goal. "Hopefully I can put it right and score in the next game.
"It was a game of two halves," he added on the game itself. "We were good in the first half and very organised defensively. I don't think they had any shots in the first half. We created numerous chances in the first half that we probably should have scored from.
"In the second half we were unlike ourselves. We were very open, especially after the first goal and we had to go and get something out of the game. Overall it's very disappointing. "We were impatient in trying to win the game instead of letting it happen naturally. We're very disappointed because we felt after the first half the game was there for the taking.
"We're just going to have to get something out of the next game to get through."Defeat for Iceland leaves them knowing that only a win over Croatia will be enough if they want to make the knockout stages.
Zlatko Dalic has suggested he will leave out some of his star names, with the Group D leaders having already secured their progress to the last 16, but Sigurdsson feels that whatever team Croatia put out will prove difficult opponents.
"It doesn't help [if they are already through]. They are such a good team even if they rest players."They have players at some of the biggest clubs in the world and it's going to be a tough game no matter what. We're just going to have to do our job and hope for a good result."Iceland take on Croatia in Rostov on Tuesday at 7:00pm BST (2:00pm ET).
Iceland captain Gylfi Sigurdsson described his missed penalty against Nigeria as the "toughest moment" of his career.
With the Scandinavian minnows 2-0 down following two strikes from Ahmed Musa in Volgograd they threatened a dramatic comeback having won an 80th minute penalty.Everton star Sigurdsson stepped up from the spot but could only send his effort over the crossbar.
"It's tough to take. It's probably the toughest moment of my career," he said when speaking to Goal. "Hopefully I can put it right and score in the next game.
"It was a game of two halves," he added on the game itself. "We were good in the first half and very organised defensively. I don't think they had any shots in the first half. We created numerous chances in the first half that we probably should have scored from.
"In the second half we were unlike ourselves. We were very open, especially after the first goal and we had to go and get something out of the game. Overall it's very disappointing. "We were impatient in trying to win the game instead of letting it happen naturally. We're very disappointed because we felt after the first half the game was there for the taking.
"We're just going to have to get something out of the next game to get through."Defeat for Iceland leaves them knowing that only a win over Croatia will be enough if they want to make the knockout stages.
Zlatko Dalic has suggested he will leave out some of his star names, with the Group D leaders having already secured their progress to the last 16, but Sigurdsson feels that whatever team Croatia put out will prove difficult opponents.
"It doesn't help [if they are already through]. They are such a good team even if they rest players."They have players at some of the biggest clubs in the world and it's going to be a tough game no matter what. We're just going to have to do our job and hope for a good result."Iceland take on Croatia in Rostov on Tuesday at 7:00pm BST (2:00pm ET).
FIFA World Cup 2018 Group Stage Fixtures 2018.06.23
FIFA World Cup 2018 Group Stage Fixtures 2018.06.23
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Group G
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Belgium Vs Tunisia
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Group H
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Korea Republic Vs Mexico
Germany Vs Sweden
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Group G
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Group H
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