FIFA World Cup 2018, Day 8: Today’s match schedule, teams and timings (in IST)

FIFA World Cup 2018 full schedule for Day 8: Match time table in IST, Venues with complete fixtures for the showpiece tournament in Russia.

Representative Image: Can Lionel Messi inspire Argentina to its first win today?

Tomi Juric and Australia is still confident of progressing to the knockout stages of the World Cup in Russia after the Socceroos almost shocked France on matchday one.

Bert van Marwijk's players were unfortunate to step off the field empty-handed in Kazan, where Australia was beaten 2-1 by an underwhelming France side in Group C last week.

Full match schedule list

VAR came to the aid of Les Bleus in controversial circumstances as Antoine Griezmann converted a second-half penalty following a challenge from Josh Risdon, while goal-line technology sealed Australia's fate after an impressive performance against the World Cup contender.

Australia showed it can match it with the best as it prepares to face Denmark in Samara on Thursday and striker Juric remains optimistic about the Socceroos' chances of advancing.

Crucial match

Argentina heads into its second World Cup match against Croatia knowing it is already facing potentially a decisive 90 minutes in its quest for glory.

The pressure is starting to mount on Messi in particular. He managed 11 shots against Iceland without scoring and has not hit the back of the net at the World Cup with any of his last 21 attempts.

Suggestions of an over-reliance on the Barcelona star have dogged Argentina for many years, but ‘Messidependencia’ claims have grown louder ever since they were thrashed 6-1 by Spain in a friendly in March while their talisman watched on injured.

Hoping to improve

Raphael Varane insists France remain calm after its unconvincing win against Australia as it prepares to face Peru in the World Cup.

One of the World Cup favourites, France failed to shine but still recorded a 2-1 win over Australia to open its Group C campaign in Kazan last week.

Sluggish and underwhelming against a well-drilled Socceroos team who were unfortunate not to claim at least a point, France claimed won thanks to Antoine Griezmann's second-half penalty — awarded after a VAR review — and a late own goal.

Questions were raised after the victory and France centre-back Varane knows Didier Deschamps’ men will have to be at their best against Peru in Ekaterinburg on Thursday.

• Group C: Denmark vs Australia, 1730 IST, Samara Arena, Samara.
• Group C: France vs Peru, 2030 IST, Ekaterinburg Arena, Ekaterinburg.
• Group D: Argentina vs Croatia, 2330 IST, Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod.

All matches will be telecast live on SONY Ten 2, SONY Ten 3 and SONY ESPN.