Mascherano: Argentina must 'pray' results go their way

Javier Mascherano remains hopeful Argentina can reach the last 16 of the World Cup.

Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano said his team needed to "pray" for its World Cup chances after its crushing loss to Croatia Thursday.

Jorge Sampaoli's men were thrashed 3-0 as goals from Ante Rebic, Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic saw Croatia to a convincing Group D win.

The result left Argentina with just one point in the group and relying on other results to go its way to avoid an early exit.

A devastated Mascherano, 34, said all eyes would be on Iceland's meeting with Nigeria Friday.

"When it doesn't depend on you, you have to try to pray and get a result that then gives you the possibility of fixing it," he said.

"Until [Friday] we won't know how feasible it is to qualify. We will see."

While Croatia is already through, Iceland – which held Argentina in its opener – can take a huge step towards the last 16 by beating Nigeria.

Argentina was undone by three second-half goals Thursday, with Willy Caballero's error leading to the opener.

"It is very difficult to analyse the game because the blow is very hard," Mascherano said.

"It's not the time to analyse anything."