World Cup group D: Argentina vs. Croatia team news, kick-off time and TV channel

Lionel Messi and Argentina face group
leaders Croatia in Nizhny Novgorod

One-Minute Read

Sergio Aguero scored against Iceland but star player Lionel
Messi missed a penalty. Messi and his Argentina teammates will look
to “finally join the party” in Russia, says The Sun. 

The BBC reports that Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli could
change his formation for the clash against the group D leaders.
Sampaoli chose a 4-2-3-1 formation against Iceland but could revert
to a 3-4-3. 

Boca Juniors winger Cristian Pavon is in line for his
first competitive start and Gabriel Mercado and Marcos Acuna could
also be recalled.

Croatia will be without Nikola Kalinic for the rest of the
World Cup after the striker refused to come on as a substitute
during the 2-0 win against Nigeria. Kalinic was sent home by
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic.

Fifa.com reporter Vjekoslav Paun believes Dalic
will make changes for the Argentina clash. Paun writes: “After
deploying four midfielders against the Nigerians, he is considering
whether to field fewer against the Argentinians or to put the
emphasis on keeping possession by sending out more creative
players.

“The ‘Vatreni’ are unlikely, however, to adopt the same
defensive strategy pursued by Iceland. Time will tell what approach
Dalic decides to take.”

Nigeria take on Iceland in the other group D match on 22
June.

Argentina vs. Croatia predicted starting
XIs

How the teams could line up at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium,
according to Fifa.com:

• Argentina (3-4-3): Caballero; Mercado, Otamendi, Tagliafico;
  Salvio, Mascherano, Meza, Acuna; Messi, Aguero, Pavon 
• Croatia (4-2-3-1): Subasic; Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic;
  Rakitic, Badelj; Brozovic, Modric, Perisic; Mandzukic​

Group D results, fixtures and live TV channels

• Argentina 1 Iceland 1
• Croatia 2 Nigeria 0
• 21 June: Argentina vs. Croatia (7pm, BBC) 
• 22 June: Nigeria vs. Iceland (4pm, BBC) 
• 26 June: Iceland vs. Croatia (7pm, BBC); Argentina vs. Nigeria
  (7pm, BBC)