Argentina 0-3 Croatia: 5 Talking Points, World Cup 2018

#2 Argentina struggle to adapt to Sampaoli's system

Sergio Aguero was invisible in the first half, making just six passes and taking zero shots on goal

The 3-4-2-1 system was supposed to make Argentina a bit more fluid in attack but all it did was leave them vulnerable at the back. Moreover, it was designed to ease the pressure on Messi and give him a little more freedom to work his magic.

It was anything but that. The first half saw Argentina take only two shots on goal - none of which were on target. The shots were also gifted to them rather than by their own design when Croatia's defence fell asleep.

Apart from leaving Argentina unprotected on the flanks, the burden of creativity fell on midfielders who weren't technically adept at creating chances. Without much help coming from out wide, Argentina fashioned zero chances in the first half - understandable when you have two defensive midfielders in Javier Mascherano and Enzo Perez in the centre.

Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi combined for a total of 20 passes in the first half and neither of them was able to even get a shot on goal, let alone receive a pass in a dangerous area.

Sampaoli was seen as the Messiah to save Argentina from depending too much on Messi but the tactics (or the lack of them) on display were painful to comprehend.