Argentina

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Jorge Sampaoli's side produced an abysmal second-half display that severely damages their hopes of following Croatia out of Group D, with Caballero's stray pass to Gabriel Mercado that was volleyed home by Rebic in the 53rd minute proving the turning point.

Any hopes of a late Argentina fightback were extinguished 10 minutes from time as the irrepressible Luka Modric whipped a fine strike into the bottom-right corner from just outside the penalty area.

With Diego Maradona watching on from the stands, Messi failed to convert from the spot in the second half of an eventful Group D opener at the Otkrytie Arena in Moscow.

Sergio Aguero had fired the beaten finalists from four years ago ahead in the 19th minute, finally breaking his World Cup duck at the ninth attempt with a rising left-footed drive.

Yet debutants Iceland refused to melt on the main stage, Alfred Finnbogason capitalising on Willy Caballero's weak punch to score his country's maiden goal in the history of the tournament just four minutes later.

Romero was expected to be Argentina's number one goalkeeper for the World Cup, but will be unable to take the gloves in Russia following his latest injury setback.

The goalkeeper was expected to start in goal for Manchester United in the FA Cup, but manager Jose Mourinho selected David de Gea due to Romero's lack of fitness.

And the 31-year-old, who started the World Cup final as Germany edged a 1-0 win over Argentina in 2014, will now miss the chance to represent his country in Russia.