Both sides could have earned a victory in the opening game in Main Round IV, but Croatia were better than Argentina in the last 10 minutes of the match and ultimately won by six goals, so now both sides are level on two points. 

MAIN ROUND IV
Croatia vs Argentina 28:22 (12:14)

Tea Pijevic's multiple saves in the opening minutes gave Croatia a chance to dominate, and the European team were in front 9:5 midway through the first half, as their left wing Paula Posavec netted three times by then.

Argentina had already written history in Spain, beating a European team (Austria) and progressing to the main round at the World Championship for the first time ever. However, they were eager to create another surprise, and a time-out helped them to turn the tide. 

Marisol Carratu found her inspiration between the posts, while powerful backs Malena Cavo and Elke Karsten combined for half of Argentina's goals before the break – seven – so that Eduardo Gallardo's team not only drew level, but took a 14:12 lead. 

"We played a very good match, except the last 10 minutes, when Croatia were the stronger side," Gallardo said after the game. 

In a nervous and hard-fought second half, both teams wasted a lot of opportunities and, in the case of the South American side, penalties as they missed four of them. And while Croatia drew level several times, overall Argentina had the upper hand and led 21:19 in minute 50.

Yet, like in the previous matches at the event, they found it hard to keep the same level of energy for the entire match. In the closing stage, Croatia had more power left, and they used a 6:0 run to create a four-goal advantage (25:21) by minute 58 and ultimately clinch a victory. 

"At half-time, I said that we have to win this match one way or another, as we were full of energy. Last 10 minutes, we defended well and Pijevic was very good in goal, and when we went in front 22:21 for the first time in the second half, it was a key moment," Croatia's coach Nenad Sostaric concluded. 

hummel Player of the Match: Malena Cavo, Argentina

Photo: RFEBM / J. L. Recio