Two and a bit rounds in and this World Cup has already provided plenty of moments that will live long in the memory.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane have been simply mesmeric while Tony Kroos single-handedly dragged Germany out of their rut with a stunning last-gasp winner against Sweden.

Mexico have been a breath of fresh air, playing with passion and flare while the likes of Belgium, France and Brazil have managed to avoid any surprises.

However, some teams may be looking to quickly forget the events of Russia 2018 after registering dreadfully unimpressive performances at the global showpiece.

Despite boasting one of the worlds deadliest strikers in Robert Lewandowski, Poland failed to make any kind of impression on the tournament, while serial award winner Mohammed Salah and his Egypt team were dumped out after just two games.

One of the biggest shocks, though, has to be the performance of 2014 runners-up Argentina.

La Albiceleste have endured a torrid time of it in Russia, drawing their first game to World Cup new boys Iceland, before being soundly beaten by a strong Croation side.

Global superstar Lionel Messi simply couldn’t get into the game as he and his teammates fumbled about awkwardly leaving them teetering on the brink of elimination.

Immediately rumours began to circulate of mutiny in the camp, with reports that the players had had enough of coach Jorge Sampaoli’s strange tactics and selections.

Those rumours have been firmly denied by all involved with the Argentina team, but it would have been interesting to see what would have happened if Nigeria hadn’t done them an almighty favour against Iceland the next day.

Hope was reignited after the African side beat Iceland, leaving the door ajar for Messi & Co to sneak into the last 16.

And now, despite all the rumours that he has had his fill of international football, it seems like Messi is determined to turn things around.

Speaking ahead of their date with Nigerian destiny, stalwart Javier Mascherano spoke a little towards Messi’s current state of mind, and it might just sooth some of those rising nerves.

“Leo is fine,” Mascherano told a press conference.

“But as a collective, where things don’t go as we’d like, we all have our own frustrations.

“He’s human and he has his own frustrations but he’s desperate to turn the situation around.”

Messi has won just about every prize available in the game, but still, a major tournament at international level continues to elude him.

Russia 2018 could prove to be his last chance to get his hands on silverware with his national side, but he has a lot of work to do if he wishes to make that dream a reality.

Go on Leo, get it done mate.