All it takes is a single moment. Croatia had been as composed, as redoubtable as ever for 32 minutes at Lusail. Dejan Lovren and Josko Gvardiol looked unruffled. Luka Modric was dictating the tempo in midfield, with Ivan Perisic, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic buzzing around, following his instructions and his example. Argentina seemed to be losing heart, just a little, that feeling that so many teams who have encountered the Croatians will recognize.
But all it takes is a moment. Modric, for the first time in this game and the first time in this tournament, took his eye off the ball.