Lionel Messi's magic to prove decisive for Argentina against Croatia

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his fourth goal of the tournament already as Portugal beat Morocco 1-0 on Wednesday, while a fortuitous strike from Diego Costa was enough to secure a narrow victory for Spain against Iran.

Thursday sees Group C matches as France face Peru and Australia take on Denmark. Elsewhere, Lionel Messi looks to shake off his penalty miss against Iceland when his Argentina side play Croatia.

Here Sportsmail's CHRIS SUTTON gives his verdict ahead of an another action-packed day of World Cup football in Russia.

Denmark vs Australia

Group C - 1pm in Samara

Denmark had Kasper Schmeichel to thank for single-handedly keeping Peru at bay in Saturday’s 1-0 victory. Given they face France in their final game, this is their best chance to qualify. Australia were desperately unlucky against France but defeat here would send them home.

DENMARK, probable (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Dalsgaard, Kjaer, Christensen, Larsen; Schone, Eriksen, Delaney; Poulsen, Jorgensen, Sisto.

AUSTRALIA, probable (4-2-3-1): Ryan; Risdon, Milligan, Sainsbury, Behich; Jedinak, Mooy; Leckie, Rogic, Kruse; Nabboutt.

Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain).

SUTTON'S VERDICT: Denmark to win 1-0.

France vs Peru

Group C - 4pm in Ekaterinburg

France are my tip to be crowned champions next month but they must improve. They needed a debatable penalty and a deflected Paul Pogba goal to see off Australia in their opening game. Peru only know one way to play - to attack - and that could suit the French.

FRANCE, probable (4-4-2): Lloris; Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez; Mbappe, Pogba, Kante, Matuidi; Griezmann, Giroud.

PERU, probable (4-2-3-1): Gallese; Advincula, Rodriguez, Ramos, Trauco; Tapia, Yotun; Carrillo, Cueva, Flores; Guerrero.

Referee: Mohammed Abdulla Mohamed (UAE).

SUTTON’S VERDICT: France to win 3-1.

Argentina vs Croatia

Group D - Nizhny Novgorod

This game promises to be one of the best in the group stage. Argentina have so much talent but both in qualifying and against Iceland it has not yet clicked for Jorge Sampaoli. I can still see some Messi magic deciding this, though.

ARGENTINA, probable (4-3-3): Caballero; Mercado, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Salvio, Mascherano, Meza, Acuna; Messi, Aguero, Pavon.

CROATIA, probable (4-3-2-1): Subasic; Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic; Rakitic, Badelj; Brozovic, Modric, Perisic; Mandzukic.

Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan).

SUTTON’S VERDICT: Argentina to win 2-1.