Argentina (National Football)

Argentina legend Diego Maradona was reportedly hospitalised after La Albiceleste scored late to beat Nigeria 2-1 on Tuesday and advance to the 2018 FIFA World Cup knockout stages. 

Maradona had been present for all three of Argentina's group games and was once again an animated figure at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, but the Guardian's Ed Aarons reported he was later sent to hospital:

Reports that Maradona has been taken to hospital... https://t.co/TVZRmAqjbc

— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) June 26, 2018

Twitter user Steve Spoiler posted footage of Maradona requiring assistance to leave the Luzhniki Stadium, via Sports Illustrated:

https://twitter.com/SInow/status/1011714176157396998

Marcos Rojo volleyed in an 86th-minute winner for his side after Victor Moses' penalty had cancelled out captain Lionel Messi's opener, meaning Argentina finished as Group D runners-up behind Croatia.

As good as the entertainment on the pitch was in Moscow, former national team manager Maradona continued his trend as something of a sideshow in the stands.

The 57-year-old prayed to the heavens when Messi netted a brilliant breakthrough, but Match of the Day's Gary Lineker took umbrage with his middle-finger gestures following Rojo's winner, per the Independent:

Watch Diego Maradona's middle finger salute which caused Gary Lineker to call him a 'laughing stock': https://t.co/e0LMCGpzrV#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/hJUk8i9LSv

— Indy Football (@IndyFootball) June 26, 2018

Maradona has followed Argentina as they toiled in the group stage, with the team looking to replicate his success at the 1986 World Cup, where he led the team to their second of two world titles.

The Argentina icon was previously hospitalised as recently as the beginning of June, just prior to the World Cup, although that was reported to have been due to knee problems, per the Mirror's Alex Cope.

Maradona's struggles to depart the stadium on Tuesday were a concern after he had appeared so lively during his side's win only to suddenly drop after the full-time whistle.

The football community will be hoping one of the most well-remembered World Cup stars is back on his feet soon, with Argentina next in action on Saturday, when they'll face Group C winners France at the Kazan Arena.

Argentina legend Diego Maradona cared little for decorum on Tuesday as he celebrated Marcos Rojo's goal to send the national team through to the knockout stages of the 2018 World Cup.

A television camera panned over to Maradona immediately following Rojo's 86th-minute winner over Nigeria, and Maradona was shown flipping two middle fingers:

Nigeria: 1
Argentina: pic.twitter.com/UE0fUZbNlS

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 26, 2018

Maradona's raw reaction was a testament to how important the victory was for Argentina. The two-time world champion was in danger of being eliminated. Instead, Rojo ensured Argentina finished with four points, good enough for second in Group D.

Argentina can't savor the victory for too long, though. A difficult matchup with France in the round of 16 looms, with Uruguay or Portugal waiting in the quarterfinals.

Perhaps Rojo's heroics can have a galvanizing impact on a squad that appeared to be coming apart at the seams.

As Lionel Messi celebrated his 31st birthday at Argentina's World Cup training base on Sunday, his fans in India visited a special shrine to pay tribute.

Men and women, 10,000 miles from Messi's place of birth in Rosario, Argentina, headed to the home of 50-year-old Shib Shankar Patra to offer their respects to a football magician.

India have never qualified for a World Cup, yet the nation is packed with football fanatics. In parts of the country, it has become commonplace to adopt Argentina or Brazil as your team.

Patra's place is remarkable, painted in white and light blue vertical stripes, with tributes to Messi and the Argentina team throughout.

Ayaan Bag was one of the dedicated supporters to make a trip to Ichapur, a town in West Bengal, to mark the occasion. He took a two-hour Uber ride to get there and told Bleacher Report it was worth every minute.

"People have been here celebrating his birthday in Indian style and worshipping him," he explained. "He is a god of football. Messi is an emotion."

In front of a huge Messi banner, a priest gave blessings, and special cakes were decorated in honour of the Argentina No. 10.

"His birthday is celebrated every year, but this year it was a special occasion because of the World Cup," Ayaan said. "I watch each and every one of his games, and my dream would be to see him live. I think I would be in tears. Happy tears."

Patra's specially decorated home has been taking shape since 2011, when Messi visited Kolkata.

"For me, Messi is an extension of Maradona," tea-shop owner Patra told AFP, per Yahoo Sports. "Everyone in my family loves Messi. We love his behaviour, we love everything about him."

There seems to be a connection to Messi because of the way he has lived his life, as well as the way he plays the beautiful game.

Body of 30-year-old Messi fan, who went missing after Argentina loss against Croatia, found from a river. #WorldCup #ARG https://t.co/hOEHryS3DA

— News18 (@CNNnews18) June 24, 2018

For all the amazing stories to have been born out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, there was a terrible tale that broke in Kerala, a state in South India, over the weekend.

Dinu Alex, a Messi fan, had gone missing in the hours after Argentina's defeat to Croatia. It later emerged that his body had been found in a river, per News18.com.

His father said: "I saw him watching the match at 11.30 p.m. We learnt that he used to tell his friends that he would be ashamed to go out and face others if Argentina lost."

When they searched his room the following morning, a suicide note was discovered, with an Argentina jersey and Messi mobile phone case nearby.

"Nothing is left in this world for me to watch," the note read. "I am walking towards death... Nobody is responsible for my death."

The story made it to major news outlets across India and spread across the world. 

No one could have imagined that a bad night at work for Messi and Argentina in Nizhny Novgorod would end in a young man taking his own life more than 5,000 miles away in India.

Ayaan, the Messi fan from Kolkata, said: "You can call people mad out here for Messi. May his soul rest in peace."

Jeswin Johnson Kattiparambil lives in Kerala, one of the places most known for Argentina-Brazil dedication. He explains that fans continue to love the two nations because of their style of play and star-studded lineups. But he is also adamant that no serious animosity exists.

"There is rivalry between Brazil and Argentina fans here, but it's just friendly," he told B/R.

"One Brazil fan here has painted his house and his car for his team. There are also banners on every street to show support.

"The fight between the two sets of fans is usually funny. If Brazil fans put up a poster, then Argentina fans will want to put an even bigger poster next to it.

"The Brazil fans have been gloating, and after they beat Costa Rica there was a sort of rally in the road and they were singing songs about Argentina and Germany."

It makes sense that a football-loving nation would adopt two of the world's most successful teams, despite never giving up hope that India will one day emerge on to the World Cup stage too.

In Mumbai, though, loyalties are not quite as focused.

"In Southern India they are crazy for Brazil and Argentina, but here in Mumbai it's different," Prakhar Sachdeo explains. "You have people supporting other countries. It is more culturally diverse, but football is certainly big—there were 16 places showing screenings of the Champions League final."

There are many developing countries that do not have their own nation to support at the World Cup, so football fans look for a team to latch on to and give unwavering support.

It is no surprise the sway of Messi, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo often helps make that decision in most places, but that is not always the case.

In Myanmar, south-east Asia, the World Cup has taken hold.

"A lot of people support players, not only Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar but also Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Mohamed Salah, Luis Suarez, Eden Hazard, Philippe Coutinho and Paulo Dybala," Myanmar resident Lahlruatluangi told Bleacher Report.

"A lot of people here do not have a television, though, so we go to a neighbour's house or often we will watch the games on someone's phone after downloading some apps.

"We really do love football and there are quarrels. There have been Argentina and Germany fans arguing and fighting in the beer shop, some crying. There is gambling too, between each other or in their fans' group. That's normal though, especially for El Clasico."

In Somalia, Spain have become the most commonly adopted team, as Muhammad Indhoos explained: "I think it is because of their level of performance but also because of the Barcelona and Real Madrid players, and when they play together, it is special."

Fellow Somalian Iyman Abdirahman explains that Spain is the most supported team too but then points out a huge cafe banner of Salah on show in Borama, a large city in the Awdal region.

"More than anything, it is football that is loved here," he says. "This image is to show love to Mo Salah and the Egyptians."

It's not just about the teams they decide to support. There are the traditions that come with watching the games.

In Somalia, one of the best places to head for a big game is the Mogadishu Cinema, which holds up to 500 people, where people sit to watch while drinking chai tea.

"People enjoy their work during the day, but always people are waiting for the World Cup matches on TV," Iyman continues. "People in Mogadishu love football, including the older people and females.

"Other places people gather are in halls and cafeterias. Basically, people from Somalia love chai while they are watching games. We're addicted to it, I think it is heritage from our grandfathers."

In Syria, the World Cup so nearly had a special meaning this year. The national team made it to a play-off with Australia but were beaten 3-2 on aggregate thanks to a Tim Cahill goal.

The disappointment has not dampened their enthusiasm. Locals explained how the cafes and streets of Damascus have been full of football lovers every day of the tournament.

Syrian national Quotaiba explained: "The play-off is forgotten now, since we have not qualified for one World Cup anyway, but when we see Australia and Iran play, we do wonder if we could have done something special.

"I do not cheer against Australia, but some people do. It's not a hatred, more about a revenge."

https://twitter.com/SyrianLionesss/status/1008779147920007169

The World Cup is exactly that: a global tournament that unites everyone with a passion for football. It does not matter if your team has not qualified, if your team has ever qualified; everyone feels part of it.

And, of course, everyone does have a dream.

Back in India's Shyamnagar, a town close to Kolkata, Brazil fan Upayan Dey sums up the situation.

"Ronaldinho will always be king," he says. "But our country recently hosted the U-17 World Cup and that was a big boost to our footballing culture. Yes, there is a lot of people that support Brazil and Argentina here, but when India play, we all come together and support.

"We are ranked 97 in the FIFA rankings, but we are hoping for World Cup qualification soon."

Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr has called on his team to show "no mercy" to Lionel Messi and Argentina ahead of their crunch FIFA World Cup clash on Tuesday. 

The two teams go head-to-head in a vital Group D encounter, with Argentina needing a win to stand any chance of qualifying for the knockout stages. The Albiceleste are bottom of the group following their 3-0 hammering at the hands of Croatia on Thursday.

Rohr said on Monday he wants to see the Super Eagles pile on the misery, per Reuters (h/t ESPN FC).

"We love this great player Messi, everybody loves him," said the Super Eagles boss. "But the question for us is not if it's the last World Cup for him. We are not here to watch him play. We're here to get a result. We are professionals and we have to defend the colours of Nigeria. In football, there is no mercy, no pity. Everybody wants to win."

Nigeria defender Brian Idowu said it is the "main goal" of the team to make it Messi's last game at the tournament.

Nigeria put themselves in a strong position to qualify from Group D alongside Croatia after they beat Iceland 2-0 in their second fixture. Ahmed Musa was on the scoresheet twice in the victory. As noted by OptaCan, the forward has history against the South Americans too:

2 - In only two games a Nigerian player has scored a brace in #WorldCup; Ahmet Musa was the player in both occasions.

vs. Argentina (25.06.2014)
vs. Iceland (22.06.2018)

Show. pic.twitter.com/MPjQfAzjrr

— OptaCan (@OptaCan) June 22, 2018

It'll be fascinating to see what type of state Argentina arrive at this game in, as there have been reports of turmoil in the team ahead of the contest.

According to Ed Malyon of The Independent, since the loss to Croatia there has been "player revolt, infighting and backbiting" in the Argentina camp, with the pressure ramped up on manager Jorge Sampaoli. 

It's been reported by Simon Mullock of the Daily Mirror that Sergio Aguero will not start against Nigeria as he was one of several players who sought to have the manager sacked after the Croatia clash.

The furore will only heap further pressure onto Messi, who has so often been the man Argentina turn to in tough times. Javier Mascherano has called upon the rest of the team to step up in support:

🇳🇬🇦🇷

“The whole team is frustrated, not just Leo Messi. We can’t put all this on Leo”@Mascherano ahead of #NGAARG pic.twitter.com/9yyJ766arz

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 26, 2018

Based on their performance against Iceland, Nigeria will give Argentina issues. Not only are they organised and effective on the counter-attack, there's a sense of unity among the players that outstrips that in the Albiceleste camp.

Recent history dictates that Argentina will need Messi to produce of one his masterclasses to pull them out of the mire here, and you wouldn't back against the Barcelona man doing so. If he can haul this rabble of players into the last 16 following their Croatia capitulation, it may just be one of his best achievements yet.

After Argentina's dramatic 3-0 defeat by Croatia on Thursday in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, a nation was brought to tears. 

"In general, people here are talking of catastrophe," says Fernando Signorini, who worked as a fitness trainer at several of Argentina's World Cup finals, including their last victory in 1986 as well as 2010, Messi's second tournament. 

It is the first time since the 1974 World Cup that Argentina have failed to win one of their opening two games. The shock of the defeat to Croatia—following a 1-1 draw with Iceland, the smallest nation to ever play in the World Cup finals—seemed to rock the country to its core, generating a mix of anger, frustration and sadness.

"There is a sense of desperation," says Signorini. "It is something without explanation because it is only a football match, but here football is naturally a subject to talk about in life-or-death terms.

"In Argentina, there are more serious things happening. It is a country that has been losing for a while, economically and politically, and also with its football team. Our football has been in decline in the last years, at all levels, and you reap what you sow. That is what is happening now with Argentinian football.

"The future of Argentinian football is like the future of society in Argentina. The future is the past. Because we were once a great country, a wonderful and admired country, and in football it was the same—we were once wonderful and admired. Now nobody admires us, and our football is not wonderful anymore."

The scale of the reaction, the sense of devastation engendered by a group stage defeat, has surprised onlookers around the world. Alejandro Pawliszyn, a psychologist working in Buenos Aires, Argentina, says he notices a sense of embarrassment among his compatriots, manifesting itself in silence at the loss to Croatia. This feeds into a sense of insecurity at the state of the Argentinian economy, which is suffering from galloping inflation that has led to intervention by the International Monetary Fund in early June, per the Financial Times.

"A lot of the reaction here is processed by a sense that Argentina is cursed—that we're cursed politically and with the national football team," Pawliszyn says. "What I keep sensing from people is a sense of powerlessness: 'What's going on that we cannot get it right with our politicians, with the football coach, Jorge Sampaoli, and with the team? Why isn't Messi playing well?' This is especially true now that the economy is in trouble again. There is a sense that, 'Whoa, we've seen this movie before.'"

It would be no surprise if the Argentina football team—which is rumoured to be mired in conflict with their coach, Sampaoli—is seeking professional counselling. Argentina, according to independent studies as well as those by the World Health Organization (h/t CNN), has the most psychologists per capita in the world. Pawliszyn says there are several factors that explain the country's interest in therapy, including a history of immigration and its culture.

"There is a tradition of reflection and subjectivity here," Pawliszyn says. "It's part of the self-image of Portenos, people from Buenos Aires, where psychoanalysis and psychotherapies are popular, whereas maybe in the United States you have a stronger tendency to take action. A lot of people here, their self-identity is to think and reflect and talk."

Pawliszyn also points towards a sense of fatalism when it comes to the country's football team. "You also have the influence, historically, of Catholicism here," he says. "When you see other countries' players in the World Cup, they're not praying. They're not looking up to the sky to God during matches. They're not evoking other worldly forces. The Argentina footballers are too preoccupied with ideas of fortune or misfortune, or energies, which are all part of the tradition of football here, whereas performance is about precision, practice and effort. It's not about good luck or justice. Our footballers are too lost in those notions."

There was a striking image before Argentina's match against Croatia: As Messi stood for the national anthem. he kept rubbing his fingers against his forehead. He looked like a man with the weight of the world on his back. The little No. 10 has become the focus for all of Argentina's hopes and fears at this summer's World Cup.

"The feeling that he portrays is of a person who can't deal with the pressure," says Matias Bustos Milla, a journalist with Argentinian newspaper Clarin. "The body language he showed against Croatia is not normal. We're not accustomed to seeing Messi with these kinds of gestures. We were surprised when we saw him. He's not the kind of leader that gives a team speech. He does his talking on the pitch. Outside the field of play, everything with Messi is a big incognito.

"There is too much pressure on his shoulders. He's overburdened. There are 40 million Argentinians dreaming that Messi will deliver us the World Cup. In fact, in Argentina, there are more people here who want Messi to win it more than the national team itself. There is a huge desire to see Messi alone win the World Cup."

Bustos Milla says there have of course been other failures by Argentina in the World Cup. In the 2002 tournament, the team arrived for the finals in Japan and South Korea as the leading qualifiers from the South American zone, and were coached by the revered Argentinian manager Marcelo Bielsa, but were dumped out in the first round. But the crisis in Russia—even though Messi's team only scraped through qualifying—could surpass that failure. "Now we have Messi," Bustos Milla says. "If we lose in the first round with Messi this time, it will be seen as the worst failure in our history."

The critics have been circling Messi. Bustos Milla says there have been calls for him to be dropped. Comparisons have been made with Cristiano Ronaldo, the marque player on a workmanlike Portugal team, who has scored four goals in three games so far in the tournament. Messi is scoreless, having missed a penalty against Iceland.

After the defeat to Croatia, a leaked tape of an alleged WhatsApp conversation between Diego Simeone, who won over 100 caps for Argentina, and his assistant coach at Atletico Madrid, German Burgos, concluded with Simeone asking the rhetorical question, "If you had to choose between Messi and Ronaldo for your team, who would you pick?"

People question why Messi hasn't replicated the stunning success he has enjoyed with his club team, Barcelona, including four UEFA Champions League titles, with the national team.

"Messi has had the bad luck to live in the most convulsive era of the Argentina national team in the last few decades," Martin says. "He's worked under seven coaches in 10 years. That affects the operation of the team. Another of the great differences are the teammates he has had at Barca and those he has had with the national team—teammates who speak their own football language at Barca and teammates with Argentina who have been less compatible for his style of football."

Messi has come painfully close to success with his country. He lost three finals in successive years—the 2014 World Cup final against Germany and the two subsequent Copa America finals in penalty shootouts, the latter of which prompted Messi to retire from international football, a decision he later U-turned on. Results in football can be arbitrary, though. The best team doesn't always win.

"If it wasn't for Messi in the last World Cup finals in Brazil, Argentina wouldn't have got out of the group stages and went on to almost win it," Signorini says. "For me, Brazil is the team that has played the best football in most of the World Cups, but it has lost more than it has won. Why? Because football is not like boxing—you can't win on points. You have to win by a knockout. So in one match, anyone could hit you in the jaw and send you home."

Argentina will face Nigeria on Tuesday in their final group game in Russia, and the Argentinian nation will hold its breath. Its team—which seems to be in disarray—has to administer a decisive blow. It must win to proceed to the knockout stages. Memories of Messi's heroics against Ecuador in the last qualifying match in October, when he scored a hat-trick to help Argentina to come from behind for a 3-1 victory, are fresh in the mind.

"Before the World Cup finals in Russia," Bustos Milla says, "we knew we didn't have a great team, but we still had the illusion of becoming champions because always in Argentina in every tournament we feel Argentina can be champions. This generates great enthusiasm but grief and disillusionment then when we lose, like after the defeat against Croatia.

"There is a flip side. If Argentina qualified to the round of 16, immediately it will generate again the same kind of positive thoughts for Argentina to become champions. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger. Hope will be renewed. Argentina will be revitalised. I am part of this group that thinks with Messi everything is possible, but my hope is more with what Messi could do rather than with the rest of the team. Nobody knows how the team will play."

   

Follow Richard on Twitter: @Richard_Fitz.

Argentina boss Jorge Sampaoli will reportedly drop Sergio Aguero from the starting lineup for Tuesday's must-win clash with Nigeria for his part in a failed mutiny against him. 

According to the Mirror's Simon Mullock, following Argentina's 3-0 humiliation at the hands of Croatia, several players asked Claudio Tapia—president of the Argentinian Football Association—for manager Sampaoli to be relieved of his duties or allow them a say in picking the team.

Tapia decided to stick by Sampaoli, who now looks set to make several changes to the side with Aguero replaced by Gonzalo Higuain. Willy Caballero, Marcos Acuna and Enzo Perez also look set to make way for Franco Armani, Angel Di Maria and Ever Banega, respectively.

Aguero appeared to be unhappy with Sampaoli after the Croatia defeat, per football journalist Martin Mazur:

When asked about Sampaoli's quote of the players failing to adapt to the game plan, Agüero has just said in the mixed zone: "Let him say what he wants". CALM ATMOSPHERE, ARGENTINA...

— Martin Mazur (@martinmazur) June 21, 2018

Football writer Andrew Gaffney cautioned against dropping the striker, though:

Aguero dropped by Sampaoli. This seems like an unnecessary risk when he’s the only player who has scored for Argentina at this World Cup (and the team’s problems don’t lie with him). #Worldcup #arg https://t.co/kudJ07YHFX

— Andrew Gaffney (@GaffneyVLC) June 24, 2018

He scored his first World Cup goal to open La Albiceleste's account against Iceland in the opening game, though things have gone down hill for the team since.

Their inability to defend has been exposed, and they lack presence in midfield, with the latter contributing to disjointed play in the final third.

Aguero was replaced by Higuain during the Croatia match having done very little, but Higuain suffered a similar problem as the team failed to create for him or get Lionel Messi on the ball in dangerous areas.

As such, that change may have little positive impact on their fortunes—particularly as Higuain has not scored for the national side since 2016—though the others might.

Caballero has been a liability, while Di Maria and Banega may be able to free up Messi to push forward and ease the pressure on him as the team's primary playmaker.

La Albiceleste need to beat Nigeria on Tuesday and hope Iceland fail to win against Croatia. If both Argentina and Iceland win, the former will need to outscore the latter to go through on goal difference.

They don't sound like a camp brimming with togetherness and cohesion, though, which does not bode well for their chances.

Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli said his team have not supported Lionel Messi well enough at the 2018 FIFA World Cup after they were beaten 3-0 by Croatia on Thursday and that the Barcelona star should not be compared with Portugal talisman Cristiano Ronaldo as a result.

Messi cut an isolated figure as La Albiceleste put in a poor performance, which leaves them needing to beat Nigeria in their final match and hoping other results to go their way if they are to progress from the group.

Per Goal's Patric Ridge, Sampaoli said:

"Ronaldo is an excellent player, you can look at all he has achieved in his career.

"Right now, we shouldn't compare these two players. With the reality of the Argentina squad, it sort of clouds Leo's brilliance.

"He's limited because the team doesn't gel with him ideally, as it should."

Ronaldo has found the net four times in two games, while it's fair to say Messi has not lit up the tournament in Russia as hoped.

While he did not play that badly against Iceland in their 1-1 draw—he looked like the only Argentina player capable of snatching a winner—he missed a penalty and was not as clinical as usual in front of goal. Against Croatia, he was anonymous for large periods, having been effectively taken out of the game by the opposition.

Sampaoli has a point, though. Despite their impressive collection of attacking talent, Messi is the only one to consistently produce for the national side.

By contrast, while Ronaldo is a cut above his Portugal team-mates, they are a more cohesive unit who can get the best out of him and even succeed when he's not on the pitch, as they did in the UEFA Euro 2016 final.

As Soccer Laduma's David Kappel noted, Messi almost singlehandedly dragged Argentina through qualifying to reach the tournament, but his team-mates have not returned the favour at the World Cup:

#Messi dragged #Argentina to the #WorldCup, scoring seven goals, including three in a must-win against Ecuador.

6 our of Argentina’s 7 wins in qualifiers came with Messi on the pitch. They collected 19 points in 10 games with him and and only 7 in 8 games without him. #ARGCRO

— David Kappel (@kappilinho) June 21, 2018

#Sampaoli set up his #Argentina side to support #Messi. But it was full with players, who were 1) unable to play the ball to Messi (no player made more than two passes to him in 1st 45 vs #CRO) and 2) couldn’t make something happen when the whole defence was focussed on Messi...

— David Kappel (@kappilinho) June 21, 2018

The manager also bears responsibility for that, and he did so after the defeat. "It's not the boss' partial responsibility—it's his total responsibility," he said, per MailOnline's Matthew Smith.

Sampaoli added:

"If I'd planned things differently, it would have worked out differently. I honestly thought the plan for this match was going to put pressure on the opponent. But after the disaster of the first goal, it was tough, we were lost emotionally.

"Our driving force is Leo, but we couldn't find him. We work as a team to get the ball to Leo, but also the other team works to avoid that."

Sergio Aguero, who was substituted for Gonzalo Higuain—who has not scored for Argentina since 2016—early in the second half, did not respond well after being somewhat inaccurately told by TyC Sports that his manager blamed the team for not adhering to his tactics, per Goal.

"He can say what he wants" was all the striker had to say on the manage, before he cut short a post-match interview.

As Goal's Dan Edwards noted, things have gone downhill fast since they reached the final of the last World Cup:

Hard to think of a single World Cup cycle in modern football history that has been so egregiously mismanaged as these last four years in Argentina.

— Daniel Edwards 💚 (@DanEdwardsGoal) June 21, 2018

Sampaoli has failed to foster an environment that gets the best out of Messi, but he's the fourth manager La Albiceleste have had since the start of 2014, and the Argentine Football Association has had the same number of presidents in that time.

Their only warm-up game for the tournament came against Haiti, with planned friendlies against Israel and Nicaragua cancelled because of safety concerns, so that hardly made for ideal preparation, either.

Argentina may yet reach the knockout phase—and they will almost certainly have Messi to thank if they do—but given the systemic problems in Argentinian football on and off the pitch, it's difficult to see them going any further if they even get that far.

Not surprisingly, Argentina's odds of winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup have fallen significantly following its 3-0 defeat to Croatia on Thursday.

According to OddsShark, Argentina was an 11-1 favorite but has since seen the odds tumble to 33-1.

Argentina was a World Cup quarterfinalist in 2006 and 2010 and finished runner-up to Germany in 2014. But this year, the team is at risk of leaving the tournament in the group stage.

La Albiceleste have one point through their first two matches, which puts them third in Group D on goal differential. Iceland is in second and will play Nigeria on Friday. Should Iceland pick up a win or a draw, things will look pretty bleak for Argentina.

Expectations for Argentina weren't all that high coming into the World Cup. None of Bleacher Report's five experts picked the team to reach the semifinals, and Dean Jones and Marcus Alves both picked Argentina to be the flop of the tournament.

Still, a group-stage exit would be a massive disappointment for the two-time world champion.

Argentina national team coach Jorge Sampaoli was reportedly struck with a bottle thrown from the stands during his team's 3-0 defeat to Croatia in the 2018 World Cup on Thursday. 

Football Italia shared a report from Argentine news outlet Canal 26:

#Argentina Coach Jorge Sampaoli hit by a bottle thrown from the stands.#ARGCRO #WorldCup https://t.co/dh9X5TOJjJ

— Football Italia (@footballitalia) June 21, 2018

Argentina is a flawed squad overly dependent on Lionel Messi, and the national federation is a mess behind the scenes. From that perspective, Sampaoli isn't solely to blame for the team's disappointing start.

At the same time, Sampaoli hasn't done himself or Argentina any favors with his tactics:

The majority will make this about Messi but Sampaoli is the reason Argentina look horrendously disjointed.

— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) June 21, 2018

#ARG coach Jorge Sampaoli taking the blame for defeat. Says he holds himself responsible, rather than blame Caballero for mistake. Admits his "plan" didn't work -- which is quite a bloody understatement ...

— Oliver Kay (@OliverKay) June 21, 2018

Sampaoli's system has made Argentina hugely vulnerable down flanks - where it looks like any bad bounce will do them - taken Messi out of the game as a CF, and meant their least technically able players are on the ball most.

— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) June 21, 2018

After finishing runner-up at the 2014 World Cup, the team is on the brink of bouncing out of the group stage of the World Cup for the first time since 2002. La Albiceleste drew with Iceland in their opening match, so their one point leaves them third in Group D.

Croatia has already advanced to the next round, so Argentina will need help from Nigeria or Iceland to avoid an embarrassing early exit. Should that happen, Sampaoli may not be long for the national team job.

Clifin Francis, a mathematics teacher from India, is cycling from Iran to Russia to the FIFA World Cup in an attempt to meet Argentina star Lionel Messi. 

Francis has detailed how, after traveling from his home by air and sea to Dubai and Iran, respectively, he hopped on his bike for the next 2,600 miles to Moscow.

"I love cycling and I am crazy about football," he told BBC Sport. "I simply combined two of my passions."

Francis has been detailing some of his adventures on social media:

When he's at the World Cup, where his country India are not involved, Francis said he'll be backing Argentina and wants to meet their star man Messi if possible.