FIFA World Cup 2018, Argentina vs Croatia: 5 talking points as Messi frustrated again

Nizhny Novgorod: On a night where all eyes where on Argentina, Croatia produced the impossible as they ensured qualification to the knockout stages of the 2018 FIFA World Cup with an astonishing 3-0 win. The result left Le Albiceleste’s hopes of qualification dangling by a thread.

After a compelling first half where both teams had their share of chances, the Europeans turned the tide in the latter, banging in three goals.

Ante Rebic broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute after a howler from Wilfredo Caballero. Luka Modric then doubled the advantage later on before Ivan Rakitic put the game to bed in injury time.

Here are the major talking points -

1) Sampaoli’s plan B yields worse results

Taking lessons from the lacklustre draw against Iceland, Jorge Sampaoli switched from a 4-2-3-1 formation to a 3-4-3 with the likes of Marcos Rojo, Lucas Biglia and Angel Di Maria being left out for Gabriel Mercado, Enzo Perez and Marcos Acuna.

Argentina tried to make most of their width with both Acuna and Maximiliano Meza spread wide, deploying 4-2-3-1 formation while in possession with Mascherano dropping out in defence to play out from the back.

While the former Sevilla boss has always tweaked his formations to extract the best from Lionel Messi, the move backfired again. In the first half, there was no link-up between the defence and attack with huge gaps being left between the lines. The likes of Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi were devoid of service and the team struggled up front.

Sampaoli hasn't stuck to one particular formation in the 12 games that he has been in charge of the national team so far, which says enough.

2) Argentina’s achilles heel exposed, again!

Argentina's problems with playing out from the back are well documented and Croatia smartly prepared to exploit that weakness.

Right from the first whistle, Croatia pressed aggressively, prompting them to make mistakes while passing from behind. Ivan Perisic sent an early warning to their opponents as early as the fourth minute, forcing a fine save by Wilfredo Caballero.

Caballero was never meant to be the first choice between the sticks but an injury to Sergio Romero saw Sampaoli stick with the Chelsea custodian. The veteran keeper looked unconvincing with the ball at his feet on occasions and the writings was on the wall.

And now Sampaoli might well turn his sights to a new keeper. With Andre Rebic onrushing and the ball tracking back towards goal, Caballero erroneously chipped the ball with the midfielder responded with a fierce volley, over the keeper’s head. Even the likes of Nicolas Otamendi and Gabriel Mercado failed to read the game and were looked unassured at the heart of the defence.

3) Five-star Luka Modric

Few would have placed their money on Croatia to advance to finish on top of a group with favourites such as Argentina. But now Luka Modric and Croatia’s golden generation could well be having a point to prove once again.

Modric displayed his big match pedigree again, orchestrating play along with pulling the strings in midfield. While the game was fully open and as Argentina chased an equalizer, it was the Real Madrid ace who put the opponents to the sword.

Marcelo Brozovic pegged back a pass to the skipper, who bullied Nicolas Otamendi before taking two touches and unleashing a lethal shot in the bottom half corner from outside the box.

4) Croatia boss the midfield game

Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic enforced just once change ahead of the mega-encounter, swapping Andrej Kramaric for Inter midfield maestro Marcelo Brozovic, with Modric deployed in the number 10 role. It provided more stability and fluidity in the middle of the park and benefited the team on the counter-attack.

Sampaoli made his troops deploy a high line while pressing hard and overloading the opponents and were rightfully caught wrong-footed when they lost possession. In the end, they heavily paid the price.

Messi, who recorded 11 shots in the first game, could only muster a single one today that displays how successful the Croats were in nullifying the opposition attack. Brozovic and Rakitic closed down the time and space on the ball as the South Americans registered just one shot on target in the second half.

5) Messi’s World Cup dream lay in tatters

Fail. Try. Repeat. That has so far been the tale surrounding Lionel Messi and his quest for glory with the national side.

The spotlight fell on the FC Barcelona talisman who was seeking redemption after fluffing his lines against Iceland in the opener. But the script was nothing different this time, as he rarely got a sniff of the ball and cut an isolated figure on the night.

The only time Argentina have made it through to the knockout stages despite going winless in the first two World Cup games was way back in 1974, where they lost to Poland and drew to Italy before thrashing Haiti to advance further.

Messi and co are caught up in a similar situation here, and a win in their final game with a massive goal difference might be the sole hope pending. But for now, the hangover will last for quite some time.