It’s not very often that you see Argentina bow out of the FIFA World Cup in the group stages. However, in the 21st edition of the event, which has been full of surprises and upsets, finds the Lionel Messi-led side on the brink of getting ousted from the competition with no wins in first two games. Argentina faced a shocking 3-0 defeat at the hands of a brilliant Croatia side in their second Group D encounter on Thursday night after a 1-1 draw in the opener against Iceland.
The 3-0 thrashing finds them on the bottom of the points table with their qualification chances depending on the results of the other teams. Croatia were arguably the better team for the full ninety minutes as they scored three to Argentina’s nil, with Ante Rebic, Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic all managing to find the back of the net.
The aftermath of the loss has created a furore in the Argentina squad, and if rumours are to go by, the players don’t want Jorge Sampaoli as their manager for the next game against Nigeria, which might be the Albiceleste’s last in Russia.
As per a US-based journalist Roberto Rojas, rumours are rife in Argentine media that the players have asked for Sampaoli’s sacking and that the 58-year-old has agreed to step down. If Smapaoli is removed, Jorge Burruchaga will take over the coaching role for Nigeria clash.
After Argentina’s latest defeat which finds their qualifying hopes lying by a thread, Sampaoli was critical of his side’s performance and said that Messi’s brilliance was hindered by the performance of other players.
“I think that because of the reality of the Argentine squad, it sort of clouds Leo’s brilliance,” he was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.
“Leo is limited because the team doesn’t gel ideally with him as it should,” he added.
Argentina will be locking horns with Nigeria in their final Group D game, looking to open their win account at the competition.