Sampaoli, not Messi, to blame for Argentina's Croatia collapse

The moment Argentina's lineup for its match against Croatia was revealed Thursday, the sceptics were out in full force.

Manager Jorge Sampaoli's decision to shift from the 4-2-3-1 his team deployed against Iceland to a 3-4-2-1 was also lambasted.

After a 3-0 meltdown, it appears the criticism was warranted.

Save for an unfathomable miss on an open goal by Enzo Perez 30 minutes in, Argentina was lifeless in attack until the hour mark.

Naturally, those who watched the 2014 runner-up on Thursday will look to point the finger at Lionel Messi. After firing 11 shots against Iceland, the captain was invisible against Croatia, mustering just one attempt - a goalmouth scramble set up by Maximiliano Meza - that came only after 64 minutes.

However, while the blame could have fallen on the Barcelona star in the first match for his startling inefficiency (if it did, he accepted it anyway), the same can't be said for the team's latest setback.

Argentina was set up to fail long before Willy Caballero's calamitous pass attempt resulted in Ante Rebic's opener.

This one falls entirely on Sampaoli.

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

It's no surprise that Messi, the high-octane engine of a squad otherwise sitting on cinderblocks, was nowhere to be found, as his manager failed to deploy his men in a manner that allowed him to make an impact.

Javier Mascherano and Enzo Perez may have been a viable central midfield pairing in 2014, but with a precarious three-man backline led by a volatile Nicolas Otamendi behind them, the two failed to provide any cover in front of defence. The midfield's inability to quiet Croatia's heralded duo of Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric effectively shut down the supply lines for Messi, save for the odd ball booted downfield.

Despite watching this unfold, Sampaoli was a man without answers.

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He used up all three of Argentina's substitutions by the 68th minute, yet chose not to orchestrate a shift in strategy. Having names like Gonzalo Higuain, Cristian Pavon, and Paulo Dybala available off the bench would be a luxury for any manager at this tournament, but Sampaoli simply threw them into the ongoing tire fire while maintaining a 3-4-2-1 that clearly wasn't working.

As a result, with Croatia's midfield gaining more and more confidence in the second half, he exacerbated the issue by leaving a well-past-his-prime Mascherano alone in the centre of the pitch. The consequence was clear on Croatia's second goal, when he was inexplicably stretched out wide, with Argentina's glut of attacking midfielders allowing Modric to stroll towards the box seconds before he unfurled an exquisite strike past Caballero to put Sampaoli's men away for good.

(Photo courtesy: TSN Sports)

With Argentina on the brink of a World Cup group-stage exit for the first time since 2002, Sergio Aguero showed a hint of frustration with his manager post-match. After being told by TyC Sports that Sampaoli had said his side "failed to adapt to the project," the player looked incredulous.

"Let him say what he wants," Aguero said, via Diario Registrado.

In his defence, Sampaoli did eventually realise he erred in his approach, and the 58-year-old pleaded with the fans for mercy.

"I would beg fans for their forgiveness," he said, according to BBC Sport. "I am responsible."

Unfortunately, the damage has been done.