ARGENTINE FANS WEEP AS WORLD CUP DREAM FADES

Buenos Aires: The party at the Buenos Aires fanzone fell flat as a crowd expecting a Messiinspired Argentina World Cup revival could only watch in horror at as the nadir of Nizhny Novgorod unfolded. “We lost very badly, they really humiliated us this time,” said 22-year-old Joaquin. “And now, on top of that, we’re depending on Nigeria!” After the abject 3-0 loss to Croatia, the team will have to beat Nigeria in their final game and hope other results go their way to advance. For even the most passionate fans here, that seems a tall order now. Messi came in for particular criticism after an under-par performance. “Messi, who keeps winning for Barcelona, who continues to deliver triumph after triumph for Barcelona, has given us nothing but defeats and sadness,” said Miguel Angel.