Amid many what ifs, Lionel Messi’s World Cup dream comes to a bitter end
Argentina’s roller-coaster World Cup finally comes to an end in the round of 16 against France. Here’s a look back at what a mess they were in Russia.
When the story of this World Cup is written, Argentina could be depicted as an ailing patient on life support. The final analysis reads more like an obituary than an analysis.
This was a team dead from the start of this World Cup campaign, marred by scandal and upheaval. Argentina were only briefly resurrected with a win against Nigeria to reach the round of 16. Even highly-touted Germany, who beat Argentina in the World Cup final four years ago, had been incapable of that feat here in Russia. It will take days, months and even years to hear about all that went on behind the scenes during Argentina’s dysfunctional World Cup.
Argentina lacked passion and gusto on Saturday while losing 4-3 to France in the round of 16. Lionel Messi showed his superiority at times, but it wasn’t enough to get his country to the quarterfinals. Messi didn’t get the ball enough. He was forced to be playmaker and lone striker at the same time. His teammates definitely weren’t up to the task. No one is really sure at this point whether manager Jorge Sampaoli was even in charge of this squad going into this game. It seems impossible he’ll be dismissed now that it’s over.
Argentina’s offense was poor and their defending shameful. It was really no surprise. Unable to keep up with the faster and more tactically astute French, Argentina resorted to fouling for much of the first half. The problems were evident a few months back when Spain routed them 6-1 in a friendly leading up to the tournament. Sampaoli never got the best out of this group. One has to wonder what might have been had a player like Mauro Icardi been there. What if Paulo Dybala had played alongside Messi? There are lots of what ifs.
This was a farcical tournament for the two-time World Cup champions on all levels. Video footage during the Nigeria match, for example, showed Sampaoli and Messi talking on the touchline just before Sergio Aguero was subbed in. That led to speculation that Messi had told him to make the tactical change. On the eve of this highly-anticipated match, Sampaoli had to reassure reporters, and maybe even himself, that he was calling the shots, not Messi.
“We looked at different options in an important game and had to make a decision. I was simply communicating this, saying we were going to use a strategy we had rehearsed to use more attacking players,” Sampaoli said. “It was a simple exchange I had with one of my players, that’s all.”
For Messi, this was his last real shot at a World Cup title. It remains to be seen if he returns to the national team after this disaster or if it’s better for him to focus on his club career, where victories and trophies in a Barcelona shirt have come easier and more frequently throughout his storied career. Let it be known that this World Cup disaster was in no way Messi’s fault. If anything, he was alone in trying to drag this dead side to victory.
Very little worked for La Albiceleste at Russia, as has often been the case in recent years. Argentina almost missed out on the World Cup, only qualifying on the final day against Ecuador after Messi rescued them with a hat-trick. Once in Russia, the team drew with Iceland 1-1 (after Messi had a penalty saved) in the opener and were thrashed by Croatia 3-0 in the following game. Argentina defeated Nigeria, but only barely, to squeeze their way into the round of 16.
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France, too, are stacked with talent, and not only in attack. It showed on Saturday in Kazan. Soccer isn’t always about who’s better; it’s about pouncing on opportunities, making the best of a situation and sometimes even catching some breaks. France made their luck. The good teams often do.
The defense let Argentina down again. Goalkeeper Franco Armani, in only his second appearance ever for Argentina, did his best, but the defense did little to protect. France never gave up and they deserved they were fully deserving of the win.
Messi could have either faced his eternal nemesis and rival Cristiano Ronaldo or his Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez if Argentina had made it through, but that was always more of a hope for fans than a realistic possibility.
The truth is this team need to start over. They need a new manager and some new blood, from the federation level on down to the field, if they hope to ever contend for a trophy again. History will not look well on this Argentina side. Let this be motivation to do better in the future.