Ante Rebic opened the scoring for the Vatreni after a calamitous mistake from Argentine goalkeeper Willy Caballero.

A stunning strike from man of the match Luka Modric made it two, before Ivan Rakitic completed the rout, topping off an all-round midfield display with a stoppage-time tap-in.

The chastening 3-0 defeat leaves qualification to the knockout stages out of Argentina's hands.

Talisman Lionel Messi barely got a sniff, as his hunt for a goal at the 2018 World Cup went on.

Argentina

Willy Caballero – 4

Made a decent save to deny Ivan Perisic in the first half but never looked comfortable with the ball at his feet. Terrible error gifted Croatia the opener when he tried to chip the ball over Rebic.

Gabriel Mercado - 4.5

Looked uncomfortable throughout on the right side of of a back three.

Nicolas Otamendi - 4

Regularly misplaced passes and looked a shadow of the player who impressed for Manchester City last season. 

Nicolas Tagliafico - 5

Started a couple of attacks from the back but was also exposed by Argentina's system.

Eduardo Salvio - 5

Threatening at times going forward but showed little defensive awareness in the right wing-back role. Subbed off early in the second half.

 

 

 

Marcos Acuna - 5

A few crosses from the left but was nullified by Perisic and Sime Vrsaljko on the flank.

Javier Mascherano - 4.5

Was given the run around by Croatia's talented midfielders and never got to grips with the game. 

Enzo Perez - 4

Missed a golden chance at 0-0, failing to hit the target when the goal was wide open.

Maximiliano Meza - 5 

Got into some decent attacking positions but was often wasteful.

Lionel Messi - 5

Registered just 20 touches in the first half and not many more in the second. Was starved of service throughout.

Sergio Aguero -  4

Had even less touches than Messi in the opening 45 minutes and was subbed off early in the second half.

Subs

Gonzalo Higuain - 5

Replaced Aguero nine minutes after half time but often received the ball with his back to goal.

Cristian Pavon - 4

Took up a wide position in the second half but had little impact.

Paulo Dybala - 4

Was brought on with 20 minutes to go when the team was very lopsided 

Croatia

Danijel Subasic - 5.5

Looked nervy early on but had little to do in the second half. 

Sime Vrsaljko - 7

Assured at the back and a good outlet going forward from right-back.

Dejan Lovren - 6.5

Good in the air and blocked a few crosses into the box.

Domagoj Vida - 6.5

Made a lunging block late on and celebrated it like he had scored a goal. 

Ivan Strinic - 6

Had a problem with Salvio early on but recovered well to produce a solid display.

Marcelo Brozovic - 6.5

Shielded the back four well, even if Argentina didn't pose much of a threat. 

Ivan Rakitic - 8

Deserved his goal in stoppage-time. Broke up play in the middle of the park and distributed some pinpoint forward passes.

Luka Modric - 8.5

Stunning strike capped off an accomplished performance. Argentina's midfielders were chasing his shadow in midfield.

Ante Rebic - 7

Composed, acrobatic finish punished Caballero's error. Unfortunate to pick up a knock which forced him off minutes later.

Ivan Perisic - 7

Worked hard up and down the flack and delivered some teasing crosses.

Mario Mandzukic - 6

Produced some good hold-up play and led the line well. Failed to hit the target with a free header at 0-0.

Subs

Andrej Kramaric - 6

Replaced Rebic with just over half an hour to go and look lively. 

Mateo Kovacic N/A

Came on with eight minutes to go to protect Croatia's lead.

Vedran Corluka N/A

Brought on in stoppage-time.