Messy Argentina crashes to 3-0 defeat against Croatia

The two-time world champion suffers its heaviest defeat in the first-round group stages of a World Cup since 1958.

Published : Jun 22, 2018 08:48 IST , Nizhniy Novgorod

 Rampant Croats: The win gave Croatia a berth in the last-16 stage.
Rampant Croats: The win gave Croatia a berth in the last-16 stage.
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Rampant Croats: The win gave Croatia a berth in the last-16 stage.

Lionel Messi’s World Cup hopes hung by a thread on Thursday after Argentina was humbled 3-0 by Croatia on a dramatic day at the World Cup that saw the European side join France in the knockout rounds.

Argentina knew it had to win in Nizhny Novgorod after its disappointing 1-1 opening draw against Iceland but instead collapsed in the second half to leave its campaign in tatters. A horrendous mistake by goalkeeper Willy Caballero and two further goals from Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic mean the two-time former champion has to rely on an unlikely sequence of results if it is to progress in Russia.

Match Centre

It was the heaviest defeat for the two-time world champion in the first round group stages of a World Cup tournament since it lost 6-1 to Czechoslovakia in 1958.

Contrite coach

Jorge Sampaoli begged for forgiveness from Argentina's fans.

A contrite Sampaoli said the rout was his fault entirely and apologised to supporters left in tears in the Nizhny Novgorod stadium on the banks of the River Volga. “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 dreamy-eyed as the fans.”

WATCH: Highlights - Argentina vs Croatia

The Group D defeat means Argentina is on the brink of a humiliating first-round exit. It has just one point from two games and will certainly have to beat Nigeria in its final outing to have any chance of avoiding elimination.

But for Argentina — and Messi — the recriminations over such a poor performance began within seconds of the final whistle.

“I had to devise a plan for this match,” said Sampaoli. “If I had set things up differently, things might have turned out much better. I don't think it's realistic to put the burden on Caballero.”

He added that his under-pressure team, knowing it needed a positive result from the game, crumbled after conceding the first goal.

‘Emotionally broken’

“After they scored we were emotionally broken and we didn't have any footballing arguments to change the course of events.”

He said his team did not “gel” and plans to feed Messi with more of the ball failed. Asked why he made three changes to his team and played a 3-4-3 system, Sampaoli said he thought this was the best way to put pressure on Croatia. But admitted he had got it wrong.

IN PICTURES: Croatia hands Argentina 3-0 drubbing

Croatia took the lead after Caballero chipped a clearance straight to Rebic, who lashed home a thunderous volley in the 53rd minute. Real Madrid star Modric then scored an electrifying 80th-minute goal before Messi's Barcelona team-mate Rakitic netted a third after Croatia sliced apart Argentina's hapless defence in injury time.

The defeat leaves Argentina facing a repeat of its ignominious 2002 campaign, when it also went out at the group stage after being tipped as possible World Cup winner. The South Americans were curiously lifeless and uninspired throughout, capped by an anonymous display by Messi.

He remained a peripheral and largely ponderous figure, briefly flashing to life and the 30-year-old's dream of winning the World Cup now looks remote.

‘Have to be calm and humble’

All the attention after the humbling defeat will focus on Argentina and Messi but it was also the result of a fine performance by Croatia. Coach Zlatko Dalic admitted he was surprised to be through after just two games but warned Croatian fans not to get carried away, despite arguably the performance of the tournament.

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“We have to make sure we do not go over the top. We have to be calm and humble, all of us.”

But in another piece of bad news for Argentina, he said he would definitely rest players in the last game against Iceland, which the South Americans will likely need Croatia to win.

Man-of-the match Luka Modric said teamwork was the key to the impressive victory. “Our team effort throughout (was the key) and particularly in the second half when we had more possession. In the first half when Argentina had the ball we cut off Messi and stopped him getting the ball.”

(VIDEO COURTESY FIFA TV)

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