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

#4 Sampaoli panics and Argentina collapse

Skipper Luka Modric scored again for Croatia

After going 1-0 down, Sampaoli lost it. He prowled up and down the touchline, discarded his jacket, and wore a frown that would put a mafia boss to shame.

With no other go but to chase a goal, Sampaoli threw on three attacking players and sacrificed midfield control. Sergio Aguero, Eduardo Salvio, and Enzo Perez were withdrawn. On came Gonzalo Higuain, Cristian Pavon, and Paulo Dybala.

If the 3-4-2-1 formation was confusing to his own team, this was more so. Javier Mascherano was the only midfielder shielding a back-three while six players looked to attack!

As a result, it was Croatia captain Luka Modric who suddenly found a lot of space to work with. Receiving the ball outside the box, he let fly a shot that beat Caballero and snuck in near the post to give Croatia a 2-0 lead. Otamendi had no chance to come out and block that shot.

By stoppage time, Croatia had made it 3-0. And they reserved the most humiliating goal of the lot for the very end. Argentina's players who had poured forward were nowhere to be seen while three Croatian players toyed around with Caballero to slot the ball into an empty net.

Ivan Rakitic makes it 3-0 in stoppage time

Mascherano, who was the deepest outfield player only stood and watched while raising his arm for a non-existent offside.

It was just plain embarrassing to watch and Argentina fans were seen crying in the stands at what was a hopeless performance on the pitch.