Croatia on a high, Argentina on brink
Lionel Messi’s frustrating international career may be coming to an early and anti-climactic finish after Argentina’s worst loss in Fifa World Cup group play in 60 years.
With compatriot football superstar Diego Maradona watching from the stands, the 2014 runners-up were routed by Croatia 3-0 yesterday. The result propelled Croatia into the round of 16 while Argentina stand on the brink of elimination.
Messi didn’t get a single shot off in the match in Novgorod. Messi, who turns 31 tomorrow, has never won a major title with Argentina’s senior national team despite a decade of championships with Barcelona.
Messi also missed a penalty kick in his team’s opening 1-1 draw against Iceland.
Argentina, hurt by crucial mistakes from goalkeeper Willy Caballero, had not lost by such a large margin in the first round since a 6-1 defeat to Czechoslovakia in 1958.
Argentina, who have not missed the second round since failing to qualify for the 1970 World Cup, have not been eliminated. But the twotime champions need to win their next match against Nigeria next week, and will rely on other results to go their way.
The loss to Croatia came in humiliating fashion. Trouble began in the 53rd minute when Caballero mangled a clearance and kicked the ball toward Croatia defender Ante Rebic, who buried a first-time volley.
Caballero buried his face in his hands while a giant television screen showed Maradona doing the same.
‘‘After they scored on us, we were emotionally broken,’’ Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli said. ‘‘I had a lot of hope. I am extremely hurt by this defeat.’’
Argentina responded with three attacking substitutions, but the momentum had swung firmly in Croatia’s favour as the South Americans’ fans went quiet and players’ heads dropped. And it got worse as Argentina crumbled, frustrated by the Croatian defence.
Croatia pounced again in the 80th minute as Luka Modric delivered a masterful strike from the edge of the penalty area to go 2-0 up.
Ivan Rakitic added the third in stoppage time, cleaning up in the penalty area. Mile Jedinak has a knack for penalty kicks and his strategy is beyond simple.
‘‘Just to get that ball in the back in the net,’’ the Australia captain said after converting from the spot to give Australia a 1-1 draw against Denmark yesterday and new life at the World Cup.
The 38th-minute penalty was set up after Denmark forward Yussuf
Messi threw caution to the wind in some late runs at the penalty area, but he was unable to break a swarming Croatian defence. Croatia frustrated Argentina throughout the match and never gave Messi space to operate.
‘‘Argentina wasn’t confused. We were excellent,’’ Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said. ‘‘We beat a great Argentina with the best player in the world playing, Messi.’’
Croatia, who reached the 1998 World Cup semifinals but have not advanced past the group stage since then, will face Iceland next week.
‘‘Let’s keep our feet firmly on the ground and prepare for the next matches,’’ said Modric, the man of the match.
‘‘We should be focused on what awaits. Every next game is going to be more difficult, but our main objective has been reached. It looks easy, but it was not that easy.
‘‘We are ecstatic about it [but] . . . we should go game by game,’’ Modric said. ‘‘Let’s not get euphoric. Let’s keep our feet firmly on the ground.’’
Argentina won the World Cup in 1978 and 1986 – the last with Maradona as the star player – but have not won any major title in 25 years. The Argentines also lost in the last two Copa America finals. ❚ ❚
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