BSP-01 Messi’s Argentina staring at World Cup exit after Croatia humbling

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Messi’s Argentina staring at World Cup exit after Croatia humbling

NIZHNIY NOVGOROD, Russia, June 22, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Lionel Messi’s
Argentina were on the brink of a humiliating World Cup exit on Thursday after
they were 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 they had to chase a win in Nizhny Novgorod after their
disappointing 1-1 opening draw against Iceland but instead collapsed in the
second half to leave their 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 champions have to
rely on an unlikely sequence of results if they are to progress in Russia.

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

The result spelt another night of misery for Barcelona star Messi, who
missed a penalty in Argentina’s opening match against Iceland.

In stark contrast, his eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who last month won
his fifth Champions League winner’s medal, has already scored four goals in
Russia and looks a shoo-in to win his sixth world player of the year award.

Croatia sit at the top of Group D with six points. Iceland have one point,
the same as Argentina, and Nigeria have no points, but both teams have a game
in hand on the South Americans.

“I had to devise a plan for this match. 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 (for his mistake),” said Argentina
coach Jorge Sampaoli.

“I think because of the reality of the Argentinian squad, it clouds Leo’s
brilliance. Leo is limited because the team doesn’t gel ideally with him as
it should. As coaches we need to realise these things and try to deal with
them and I’m the one that needs to accept it.”

Yet Sampaoli’s remarks, implying that Messi’s team-mates were to blame,
drew a blunt response from normally affable striker Sergio Aguero, hinting at
tensions in the Argentine camp.

“Let him say what he wants,” Aguero said, when asked to comment on
Sampaoli’s verdict.

It is the first time that Croatia have progressed past the World Cup group
stages since their third-placed debut in 1998.

“From day one I’ve trusted my team. I didn’t believe we would be through
after the second game, but I believed we would be through eventually,” said
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic.

“Argentina weren’t confused, we were excellent.”

But a fierce post-mortem was already under way in Argentina, where the
press tore into Messi and his team.

“Catastrophe against Croatia, Argentina disappoints and is on the way out
of the World Cup,” the Clarin newspaper wrote on its website. – France
qualify –

France, who won the tournament on home in 1998, earlier joined Russia and
Uruguay in the last 16 with a 1-0 win against Peru, who cannot now progress
from the group stage after two defeats.

Paris Saint-German star Kylian Mbappe tapped into an empty net in the 34th
minute in Yekaterinburg and the South Americans were unable to respond.

Mbappe is now the youngest French goalscorer at a World Cup, aged 19 years
and 183 days, beating David Trezeguet’s record of 20 years and 246 days.

Denmark, also in France’s Group C, stayed on course for the knockout
rounds after drawing 1-1 with Australia in the early game of the day in
Samara.

Christian Eriksen’s half-volley was cancelled out by Mile Jedinak’s VAR-
assisted penalty after Yussuf Poulsen’s handball, giving Denmark four points,
while Australia are stuck on one point.

Australia coach Bert van Marwijk said the “last piece of the puzzle” —
goals — was missing for his side who had several chances to win the game,
leaving their survival in the balance.

“We had chances to win and we deserved to win, so I’m disappointed,” the
Dutchman said.

Russia have defied pre-tournament predictions that they would struggle by
qualifying for the knockout round for the first time since the Soviet era.
They will be joined by Uruguay, condemning Mohamed Salah’s Egypt and Saudi
Arabia to an early exit from Group A.

Morocco will also be leaving Russia after the first round following their
defeat by European champions Portugal, who are level with Spain on four
points at the top of Group B.

BSS/AFP/GMR/0807 hrs