Loss puts Messi-led Argentina in peril
Croatia’s 3-0 win follows Iceland tie
Lionel Messi’s mother will tell you her son didn’t cry much as a child and rarely does now, saving his tears for the times of his most intense soccer pain.
Messi didn’t openly weep before he left the field in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, on Thursday night, but he surely must have felt like it.
Argentina’s 3-0 defeat to Croatia didn’t just endanger its long-held hopes of winning this World Cup but also threw its survival into grave peril and beyond the control of Messi’s skill.
If Iceland beats Nigeria in Group D Friday, Argentina will need a miracle to advance to the knockout rounds. One of the most extraordinary players of this or any era is close to suffering heartache once more.
We don’t have all day so it’s pointless to name all of Messi’s club (with Barcelona) and individual honors. Yet it takes but a moment to reference the number of international titles he has steered Argentina to. It is none — no Copa Americas, no World Cups and, barring a miracle, no hope in this tournament either.
It has never been for lack of effort. Messi cares about his country and also his legacy, which will be partially dented by his international record but no more than that. He is one of the greats, shoulder-to-shoulder with Cristiano Ronaldo in this era and in the conversation with anyone, ever.
His struggles with Argentina continue to puzzle.
“Messi is incredible, but he can’t do everything by himself,” Croatia captain Luka Modric said. “In football you have to be helped by your teammates. He’s a great, but he needs help.”
Croatia is seriously good, but Argentina is talent-laden, especially in attack, and had no shortage of chances.
The game-breaking moment of magic, though, came not from Messi’s twinkling toes but from Croatia’s fearless Ante Rebic, who capitalized on a mistake to deliver a 53rd minute volley of impeccable sweetness.
And then, after Messi had given his all in vain to spark a revival, Modric — of Barcelona’s loathed rival Real Madrid no less — sealed the points and Croatia’s status in the Round of 16, thanks to a rasping curled effort from the edge of the box with 10 minutes left.
In that moment, naturally, eyes turned not to the scorer but to Messi, for we are drawn to discomfort. His hands were planted on his hips and his head was bowed. The end was near, and there was room in his heart for only disbelief.
But the final whistle and the misery would soon come, with private tears perhaps to follow.
Ivan Rakitic added a third goal as time wound down and Argentina — and Messi — are on the brink.