<p class="title">Argentina are rallying around captain Lionel Messi as the South American giants prepare for their crucial Group D clash with Croatia here on Thursday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Messi made an unhappy start to the World Cup on Saturday, missing what would have been a winning penalty as Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw by minnows Iceland.</p>.<p class="bodytext">It was a result that has renewed doubts about Argentina's ability to mount a sustained challenge at this World Cup, four years after they reached the final in Brazil.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Another adverse outcome on Thursday and many may even start to consider the unthinkable -- that Argentina could be on their way out at the group stage, mirroring their shock first round exit in 2002.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Legend Diego Maradona called the Iceland result a "disgrace" and warned coach Jorge Sampaoli he would not be able to return to Argentina with similar performances.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Adding to the sense of disappointment, Messi's missed penalty was accompanied by 11 unsuccessful shots, the most in a World Cup game without return by a single player since Italy's Luigi Riva in 1970.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Argentina's players however have been quick to close ranks around the Barcelona superstar.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We are all with him, he knows that he can count on the support of all of us more than ever," said Argentina striker Paulo Dybala.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We are here to help him every moment, and of course we will be at his side," Dybala added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Defender Cristian Ansaldi meanwhile insisted Messi was in good spirits despite the Iceland setback.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We all know what Messi represents to our team and to our country," Ansaldi said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Not only is he the best player in the world on the pitch, he is also best player off the field. He's in good shape and that's good for us."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Despite the solitary point against Iceland, Argentina can take solace from a performance which saw them muster 26 shots and have 72 per cent possession against Iceland.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Sampaoli is reportedly considering several changes for the game, including drafting in young forward Cristian Pavon for Angel Di Maria for more creativity up front.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Similarly in midfield, Paris Saint-Germain's Giovani Lo Celso could start as Argentina seek more attacking options, possibly at the expense of Lucas Biglia.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Their jobs would be to supply Messi and goalscorer against Iceland Sergio Aguero with the kind of service on which they would thrive in a potential 3-3-3-1 formation.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Croatia may have secured a vital three points in their 2-0 win against Nigeria in their opening game, but their mood can hardly be described as euphoric.</p>.<p class="bodytext">They came into the tournament under a cloud, with captain Luka Modric charged with perjury in a corruption scandal which has rocked Croatian football.</p>.<p class="bodytext">And striker Nikola Kalinic has left Russia due to a back injury, says coach Zlatko Dalic, but amid reports he refused to come on as a substitute after being left out of the starting line-up.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Off-field problems for now though have not affected them and they are expected to field an unchanged team, which also includes Messi's Barcelona teammate Ivan Rakitic.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The teams have met only once before in the World Cup, in 1998, when Argentina won 1-0 and were the only team that year to prevent Golden Boot winner Davor Suker from scoring.</p>.<p class="bodytext">One other possible omen for Thursday; when Riva racked up his unwanted record in 1970, the Italian legend promptly scored two goals in his next match.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Argentina will be hoping for the same from Messi.</p>
<p class="title">Argentina are rallying around captain Lionel Messi as the South American giants prepare for their crucial Group D clash with Croatia here on Thursday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Messi made an unhappy start to the World Cup on Saturday, missing what would have been a winning penalty as Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw by minnows Iceland.</p>.<p class="bodytext">It was a result that has renewed doubts about Argentina's ability to mount a sustained challenge at this World Cup, four years after they reached the final in Brazil.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Another adverse outcome on Thursday and many may even start to consider the unthinkable -- that Argentina could be on their way out at the group stage, mirroring their shock first round exit in 2002.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Legend Diego Maradona called the Iceland result a "disgrace" and warned coach Jorge Sampaoli he would not be able to return to Argentina with similar performances.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Adding to the sense of disappointment, Messi's missed penalty was accompanied by 11 unsuccessful shots, the most in a World Cup game without return by a single player since Italy's Luigi Riva in 1970.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Argentina's players however have been quick to close ranks around the Barcelona superstar.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We are all with him, he knows that he can count on the support of all of us more than ever," said Argentina striker Paulo Dybala.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We are here to help him every moment, and of course we will be at his side," Dybala added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Defender Cristian Ansaldi meanwhile insisted Messi was in good spirits despite the Iceland setback.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We all know what Messi represents to our team and to our country," Ansaldi said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Not only is he the best player in the world on the pitch, he is also best player off the field. He's in good shape and that's good for us."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Despite the solitary point against Iceland, Argentina can take solace from a performance which saw them muster 26 shots and have 72 per cent possession against Iceland.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Sampaoli is reportedly considering several changes for the game, including drafting in young forward Cristian Pavon for Angel Di Maria for more creativity up front.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Similarly in midfield, Paris Saint-Germain's Giovani Lo Celso could start as Argentina seek more attacking options, possibly at the expense of Lucas Biglia.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Their jobs would be to supply Messi and goalscorer against Iceland Sergio Aguero with the kind of service on which they would thrive in a potential 3-3-3-1 formation.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Croatia may have secured a vital three points in their 2-0 win against Nigeria in their opening game, but their mood can hardly be described as euphoric.</p>.<p class="bodytext">They came into the tournament under a cloud, with captain Luka Modric charged with perjury in a corruption scandal which has rocked Croatian football.</p>.<p class="bodytext">And striker Nikola Kalinic has left Russia due to a back injury, says coach Zlatko Dalic, but amid reports he refused to come on as a substitute after being left out of the starting line-up.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Off-field problems for now though have not affected them and they are expected to field an unchanged team, which also includes Messi's Barcelona teammate Ivan Rakitic.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The teams have met only once before in the World Cup, in 1998, when Argentina won 1-0 and were the only team that year to prevent Golden Boot winner Davor Suker from scoring.</p>.<p class="bodytext">One other possible omen for Thursday; when Riva racked up his unwanted record in 1970, the Italian legend promptly scored two goals in his next match.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Argentina will be hoping for the same from Messi.</p>