Argentina go second in FIFA rankings

Argentina's World Cup triumph has moved them up to second in FIFA's world rankings, but Lionel Messi's Golden Ball-winning exploits were not enough for top spot.

But despite it proving fifth time lucky for talisman Messi, it is Argentina's closest rivals Brazil who top the world rankings at the end of the year.

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The Selecao were knocked out in the quarter-finals following a penalty shoot-out loss to Croatia, but Tite's side hold stay at the summit.

It ends a run of four consecutive years when Belgium have ended the calendar year as the world's top-ranked nation in men's football, with the Red Devils dropping to fourth.

Their descent allows France to move a place up the ladder, to sit third behind Argentina, while England round out the top five in an unchanged position.

Defeat to Morocco sees Spain slip down to 10th, with the African nation in 11th, while Croatia enjoy a bump to go seventh at Denmark's expense.