Argentina facing a miserable, Messi exit
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia — Lionel Messi’s frustrating international career may be coming to an early and anti-climactic finish after Argentina’s worst loss in the group stage of a World Cup in 60 years on Thursday.
With Diego Maradona watching from the stands, the 2014 runner-up was routed 3-0 by Croatia, which moves into the last 16.
Messi managed just a single shot on goal in a defeat that pushed Argentina to the brink of elimination. The Barcelona superstar, who turns 31 on Sunday, has never won a major title with Argentina’s senior team despite of decade of championships with Barcelona and five world player-ofthe-year awards.
“He is our captain, he leads the team and we quite simply couldn’t pass to him,” Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli said. “We work to give Leo the ball, but the opponent also works hard to prevent him from getting the ball.”
Messi also missed a penalty in his team’s opening 1-1 draw against Iceland.
Argentina, which was hamstrung by a howler from goalkeeper Willy Caballero on Thursday, had not lost by such a large margin in the first round since a 6-1 defeat to Czechoslovakia in 1958. Chelsea stopper Caballero gained the starting role because firstchoice keeper Sergio Romero, of Manchester United, injured his knee last month.
“We have to swallow the poison,” said Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano, who plays for Hebei China Fortune. “The game says it all.”
Argentina has not missed making the second round since 2002, but the two-time champion needs to win its next match against Nigeria on Tuesday, as well as get help from other games.
“First and foremost, I would beg for their forgiveness, especially those who came great distances to see Argentina,” said the softly spoken Sampaoli.
“I am responsible for this result but I was as dreamyeyed as the fans.”
The humiliating nature of the loss added to the Argentines’ sense of despair.
A mangled Caballero clearance landed at the feet of Croatia defender Ante Rebic, who made no mistake with his first-time shot in the 53rd minute.
Caballero buried his face in his hands while a giant television screen showed Argentina’s 1986 world champion Maradona doing the same.
“After they scored on us, we were emotionally broken,” Sampaoli said. “I had a lot of hope. I am extremely hurt by this defeat, but I probably didn’t understand the match the way I should have.”
And it got worse as Argentina crumbled, frustrated by the Croatian defense. Real Madrid playmaker Modric scored with
He is our captain, he leads the team and we quite simply couldn’t pass to him. The opponent also works hard to prevent him from getting the ball.” Jorge Sampaoli,
Press incensed by Croatian ‘catastrophe’
a sumptuous curler in the 80th and Messi’s Barcelona teammate Ivan Rakitic added the third in stoppage time.
Croatia was just as brilliant in defense, never affording Messi the space to weave his magic.
“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.”
Before the match, Dalic said this was going to be Croatia’s “easiest game”. He clarified that by saying it would not be an “easy opponent” but it would be a “pressure-free match”.
Croatia, which reached the 1998 World Cup semifinals but has not advanced past the group stage since then, will face Iceland on Tuesday in Rostov-on-Don.
“Let’s keep our feet firmly on the ground and prepare for the next matches,” said manof-the-match Modric.
“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.”
Argentina, the 1978 and’86 world champion, has not won a major title in 25 years, also losing in the last two Copa America finals.
Croatia has advanced with six points from Group D, while Argentina is staring down the barrel of an ignominious exit with only one point.
Should Iceland beat Nigeria in Volgograd on Friday, the tiny European nation would need only a draw against Croatia
Ronaldo the best?
Sampaoli was diplomatic when asked if Cristiano Ronaldo, who in contrast to longtime rival Messi has lit up the tournament with four goals, is now the world’s best player.
“Cristiano is a great player. You can look at all he has achieved as a player for club and country,” Sampaoli said.
“Right now we shouldn’t compare these two players. Leo is limited because the team doesn’t gel as it should. As coaches we need to realize these things and I am the one who needs to accept that.”