Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli has begged for forgiveness from Argentina’s fans following his team’s 3-0 loss to Croatia on Thursday.
A second-half goals from Ante Rebic – the first from a horrendous error by Argentina goalkeeper Willy Caballero — Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic sealed a deserved victory for the European side and ensured their passage into the last 16.
A contrite Sampaoli said the rout was his fault entirely and apologised to supporters left in tears in the Nizhny Novgorod stadium on the banks of the River Volga.
“First and foremost, I would beg for their forgiveness, especially those who came great distances to see Argentina,” said the softly spoken Sampaoli.
“I am responsible for this result but I was as dreamy-eyed as the fans.”
“I am responsible for this result but I was as dreamy-eyed as the fans.”
The Group D defeat means Argentina, one of the pre-tournament favourites and defeated finalists in 2014, are on the brink of a humiliating first-round exit.
They have just one point from two games and will certainly have to beat Nigeria in their final outing to have any chance of avoiding elimination.
“I had to devise a plan for this match,” said Sampaoli. If I had set things up differently, things might have turned out much better. I don’t think it’s realistic to put the burden on Caballero.”
“After they scored we were emotionally broken and we didn’t have any footballing arguments to change the course of events.”
“We have to make sure we do not go over the top. We have to be calm and humble, all of us.” But in another piece of bad news for Argentina he said he would definitely rest players in the last game against Iceland, which the South Americans will likely need Croatia to win. Man-of-the match Luka Modric said teamwork was the key to the impressive victory.
“Our team effort throughout (was the key) and particularly in the second half when we had more possession. “In the first half when Argentina had the ball we cut off Messi and stopped him getting the ball.”
