Argentina

Fiji remain winless at Junior World Champs

The Baby Flying Fijians conceded the opening try after eight minutes in Santa Fe when first five Joaquin De La Vega Mendia spotted a mismatch in defence and got on the outside of lock Chris Minimbe to score in the left-hand corner.

The home side doubled their lead six minutes later after Caleb Muntz had missed a penalty goal attempt for Fiji.

Quick hands put fullback Ignacio Mendy into space down the right hand touchline, with the custodian stepping inside the final line of defence to give Argentina a 10-0 advantage at half-time.

Kieran Read's message for rookies in Argentina test

Mo'unga replaces the in-form Beauden Barrett in the number 10 jersey for the match against the Pumas and there's no doubt the spotlight will shine brightly on the 24-year-old.

The first-five has been one of the key pieces in the Crusaders' recent Super Rugby success, which has seen the Christchurch side win back-to-back titles.

Read said he'd spoken to Mo'unga privately, and told him to believe in his game and the rest will follow.

Argentina ring changes ahead of All Blacks and Wallabies

Leicester Tigers' prop Gaston Cortes is one of four new faces brought in to help them maintain momentum after their win over South Africa at the weekend.

Cortes is joined by loose forward Juan Manuel Leguizamon, who last played for the national side in last year's 28-19 defeat by Ireland.

Julian Montoya, the hooker who missed the two-match series against South Africa through injury, is back, as is centre Matias Orlando.

All Blacks set to ring changes

The All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup with a thumping 40-12 win over Australia on Saturday, star fly-half Beauden Barrett crossing for four tries.

That was followed by a 32-19 win for Argentina over the Springboks, suggesting they will be no pushovers against the world champions.

But head coach Steve Hansen insisted he will stick with his plan of resting star names like Barrett for their September 8 game in Nelson.

"You're always flexible in your thinking, but we've got a plan in place, and we've just got to trust everybody to do their jobs," Hansen said.

Pumas end wait for home win

Bautista Delguy crossed for two tries as the Pumas – who suffered a 34-21 defeat on South African soil a week ago – punished a mixture of poor discipline and weak tackling to score 27 first-half points.

The visiting Springboks scored the opening try of the game, captain Siya Kolisi bursting clear to reach the line, but the hosts hit back with three scores of their own to seize control by the interval.

After Delguy’s brace prior to the break, fellow winger Ramiro Moyano touched down early in the second half as Mario Ledesma's side extended their lead.

Preview: France v Argentina

Didier Deschamps' men have struggled to hit top gear in the World Cup so far, although they still managed to top Group C with seven points from three games. However, a turgid goalless draw with Denmark on Tuesday - a stalemate that ensured France finished first and Denmark qualified - attracted plenty of negative headlines.

Next up is a blockbuster clash with Argentina - and Umtiti's Barcelona club-mate Lionel Messi - in the last 16 on Saturday and the former Lyon man says only the result counts in Kazan.

Nigeria 1 Argentina 2

The Super Eagles were heading through to the last 16 at Argentina's expense with four minutes to go of the final Group D game, but Rojo's sensational low volley saved Jorge Sampaoli's men and set up a showdown with France in the next round. 

Messi gave Argentina the lead in St Petersburg on Tuesday, the Barcelona superstar scoring a stunner to bring up the 100th goal of Russia 2018.

But when Javier Mascherano dragged down Leon Balogun in the box shortly after the restart, Victor Moses stepped up to roll Nigeria level and within touching distance of progressing.

World Cup: Messi scores 100th goal

With Argentina needing to beat Nigeria on Tuesday in St Petersburg to have a chance of qualifying for the last 16 at Russia 2018, the forward gave his side a 14th-minute lead.

Ever Banega's lofted throughball was ideally placed for Messi to impressively control and hammer home a right-footed drive to put Jorge Sampaoli's men in front.

Messi had failed to score in Argentina's two previous Group D games, missing a penalty in a 1-1 draw against Iceland and proving toothless as his side were thumped 3-0 by Croatia.

Preview: Nigeria vs Argentina

After two rounds of action in Group D, the 2014 runners-up are staring elimination in the face, having been held to a surprise 1-1 draw by debutants Iceland before capitulating to a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Croatia.

So much of the pre-tournament talk was whether - in what could be his final World Cup - Messi would finally experience international glory, as great rival Cristiano Ronaldo did with Portugal at Euro 2016.

Messi could retire, says Zabaleta

Messi cut an isolated figure as Argentina fell to a humbling 3-0 defeat to Croatia in their Group D clash on Thursday, making a premature exit a distinct possibility for the two-time champions.

Zabaleta, who was part of the team that reached the 2014 final, believes the Barcelona star could call time on his international career should they fail to progress to the last 16.

"I just feel so sorry for Lionel Messi," he told the BBC.