Messi threads a pass into the box for Éver Banega, whose right‑footed shot from the center of the area goes just wide left. It’s an early incisive through ball that opens Croatia up but doesn’t result in a goal.

Driving down the right wing, Messi beats his marker and wins a free kick after being fouled, giving Argentina a dangerous set‑piece position. The run shows his close control and ability to draw contact.

Messi attempts a through ball behind the defense for Sergio Agüero, but Agüero strays offside and the move is halted. The vision is there, yet the timing of the run is just off.

From a tight angle on the left, Messi unleashes a left‑footed shot that flies just wide of the far post after being picked out by Cristian Ansaldi. It’s a difficult chance that comes close to leveling the match.

Messi cuts inside and hits a powerful left‑footed shot from outside the box that is tipped away from the top‑right corner by the Croatian keeper. The long‑range effort forces a difficult save.

Messi combines with Cristian Ansaldi on the edge of the area, setting up Ansaldi to strike right‑footed from distance into the top‑right corner for Argentina’s equalizer. His involvement is key in creating the shooting lane.

Messi steps up to the spot and calmly drives a left‑footed penalty into the bottom‑right corner, sending the keeper the wrong way to make it 2–1 for Argentina. The composed finish caps Argentina’s comeback.

Messi lays the ball off for Javier Mascherano outside the box, and Mascherano’s right‑footed drive is saved centrally by the Croatian goalkeeper. The move shows Messi dropping deep to orchestrate play.

Messi attempts another incisive through ball, this time toward Carlos Tevez, but Tevez is flagged offside and the attack breaks down. Again, Messi’s creative passing is thwarted by the offside line.

Messi finds space in the center of the box and fires a right‑footed shot that beats the keeper but crashes off the right post, coming agonizingly close to a second goal. The move is set up by Roberto Pereyra’s pass.

Deep in his own half, Messi drops back to receive the ball, shields it under pressure, and wins a free kick to relieve the pressure on Argentina. It’s a composed defensive contribution in the dying minutes.