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Croatia Set To Make 10 Changes To Starting Line Up

Croatia Set To Make 10 Changes To Starting Line Up

After beating Argentina the South American's really need Croatia to beat Iceland in order to qualify from their group.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Argentina might have been criticised for their point against Iceland but right now it's the only keeping them in the World Cup but the Scandinavians are about to be handed a huge boost with Croatia's team news.

There wasn't many people predicting that Argentina would be knocked out of the Group Stage of the World Cup, that kind of terrible mess is normally left to England, but that's where the South American's are.

A shock 1-1 draw with Iceland, which included a Lionel Messi missed penalty, was followed by the 3-0 destruction by Croatia as the two time World Cup winners began to stare elimination in the face.

Argentina now head into the final game against Nigeria knowing that they need a win to have any chance of qualifying but even that might now be enough if Iceland can beat Croatia.

If both sides win then it could come down to goal difference, with Iceland already two ahead, and there's bad news for the South Americans.

Croatian website Gol are reporting that the team are set to make 10 changes for the match against Iceland with only Ivan Perisic remaining in the starting XI from the Argentina game.

Modric will be one of the players rested. Image: PA Images
Modric will be one of the players rested. Image: PA Images

They report the starting lineup for Tuesday evening's game will: be Lovre Kalinic - Tin Jedvaj, Vedran Ćorluka, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Josip Pivarić - Filip Bradarić, Milan Badelj - Marko Pjaca, Mateo Kovačić, Ivan Perišić - Andrej Kramarić.

Having already qualified the 1998 World Cup third place side would only not top the group if Nigeria were to beat Argentina and overturn the five goal difference between the two sides, so a 3-0 win, and Croatia lost to Iceland.

Argentina have been very disappointing up to now. Image: PA Images
Argentina have been very disappointing up to now. Image: PA Images

That's why they can afford to field what is essentially a B team because they are still favourites top the group even if they were to lose.

If Argentina and Iceland both win then the South American's would need to win by two more goals than the Euro 2016 quarter finalists to go through.

Topping the group could be extremely important as it will likely mean avoiding France in the Second Round although Spain or Portugal would likely be waiting in the Quarter final.

Will Argentina manage to qualify?

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Football News, Croatia, World Cup news, Argentina, World Cup, Iceland

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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@Sidler28