The mute prince of world football seemed to know something was wrong from kick-off, a hand to his brow, some whispered words for none but himself, and that was even before Lionel Messi opened his eyes and looked around at the worst Argentina team in memory.
You could say he tried to save them, but really Messi was more like a grief-stricken relative at the bedside, occasionally rubbing a hand while coming to terms with the reality of the situation. It felt like a long time since someone was handing him a goat and asking him to look at the camera over there, indeed there were times when a goat in a blue and white shirt might have been a better option than whatever Jorge Sampaoli was trying to do.
Up in the hospitality seats Diego Maradona had a minder who would ease him gently back when he looked like toppling over the screen in front of him, both expending more nervous energy on this Argentina performance than the man who inherited the No 10 shirt. They are not out yet but a win for Iceland against Nigeria on Friday would put Argentina on the brink, and their destiny in this World Cup finals has already slipped from their control.
Messi had his first shot in the 64th minute, perfectly isolated by what Luka Modric would later describe as the perfect game-plan, and yet it felt like the Argentina captain came onto the pitch with a premonition of what was to come. The old inscrutability had slipped, and instead he seemed to be worrying, and with good reason. Sampaoli’s three-man defence was a disaster, compounded by goalkeeper Willy Caballero’s error for the first goal.
The Argentina coach was a mix of despair and anger on the touchline, responding to Ante Rebic’s first goal by replacing Sergio Aguero before the hour with Gonzalo Higuain, the Manchester City striker returning to the bench in disbelief. The grief at the end from an Argentina support that dominated the Nizhny stadium was real, not the kind confected for the television cameras, at a team so hopelessly configured.
If Argentina kept their masterpiece in the attic, under a dust sheet, then Croatia made the most of their stars, with the second and third goals coming from Modric and Ivan Rakitic. They controlled an Argentinian midfield that was hopelessly out of its depth and Marcelo Brozovic screened off Messi from the game until the little maestro realised that he might as well be stood on the stadium concourse for all the decent service he was getting.
Later Sampaoli would intimate that it was unfair to compare Messi to Cristiano Ronaldo when this current Argentina team was so poor. Yet it was him who called in three new players, two of them over 30 - Gabriel Mercado and Enzo Perez - both of whom looked below the required standard. Paulo Dybala was only his third substitution. Ever Banega and Angel Di Maria did not play a minute and the tone of the questioning from the Argentine media left no doubt where they saw the blame lying.
This was a triumph for the Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic whose team are through to the second round now and vindicated in his decision to send home AC Milan striker Nikola Kalinic for defying him during the win over Nigeria. Dalic said he intended to rest his whole team for the third game, which may yet not be the case but even so it will not do Argentina’s chances any favours.
“Emotionally broken” was Sampaoli’s description of his side after Rebic’s goal, a joint enterprise with Caballero whose miscued pass was taken on the volley at hip-height by the wing-back and lashed back past him. It was the confident finish of a player, and a team, without any fears about a match of this kind whereas in Argentina’s ranks there was just hesitation and doubt and then finally, as Nicolas Otamendi struck a ball at Rakitic on the ground, there was anger.
The Manchester City defender was dragged left and right by Modric before he shaped a shot inside Caballero’s post and out of his reach, the game’s outstanding moment. Modric and Rakitic had controlled the game, a reminder to Messi of the standard of support act to which he is accustomed. Somehow he seemed to be on the wrong team, on the wrong side of the argument, well aware that humiliation was looming having dished out humiliations of this kind himself so many times himself.
In the first half, Argentina had created chances - just for the wrong people. Perez, a 32-year-old midfielder with 23 caps before this night and very few goals in his career missed when he had time to stroke the ball inside the post. It was not as if the centre-backs Domagoj Vida and Dejan Lovren were immune to mistakes, it was just that if they were going to make them Croatia were sure that it would not be when Messi was on the ball.
When Rakitic and the substitute Mateo Kovacic broke away to combine for the former to score, the three goals felt about right - Rakitic had earlier hit the bar with a free-kick. Messi has had 12 shots in the tournament, more than any other player, and no goals. He was straight off at the final whistle, past the cameras and the officials and back into his own black thoughts.
That's all for tonight, folks
What a game. Croatia were brilliant and Argentina were woeful. Rakitic, Rebic and Modric stole the limelight with captivating performances. Tomorrow, people will be talking about Messi and Argentina, but this Croatian team could well be a force to reckon with as the competition goes on.
I'll leave you with Diego Maradona's tears. Good night.
Lawro Watch
I had almost forgotten about Mark Lawrenson, and maybe that's a good thing. He wasn't the story of this game, and that's how it should be. Yes, there were some less than funny quips, but there was so much going on he barely had time to tie himself in knots. At first he lamented the players going down too easily, but a few meaty tackles soon put that idea to bed. Alan Tyers was right.
Why are the big teams under-performing?
Argentina's entry will need updating in this article entitled: Why are the World Cup favourites floundering?
They played with three at the back and were cut open time and time again. Mascherano dropped back to help out but by then the team was split in two. They had Dybala, Pavon, Messi and Higuain all playing up top. There was simply no midfield.
Sampaoli speaks!
Argentina boss Jorge Sampaoli is speaking to the media.
"I am responsible for making the decisions. It isn't human to blame Caballero. I was very hopeful and this defeat really hurts. Of course I didn't see the game going like that. We did not find the best team to accompany Messi."
This is that match in one minute. It really was sublime
Match in a Minute as Argentina collapse against Croatia #WorldCup https://t.co/2pGczhc1AP pic.twitter.com/CohQ7ciMMa
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) June 21, 2018
Joy for Croatia
This was Croatia’s first victory in five attempts against South American nations at the World Cup, having lost each of their previous four.
This is only the second time Croatia have won both of their opening two games at a World Cup, after the 1998 tournament that saw them reach the semi-finals.
Ante Rebic had only ever scored once for Croatia, in a friendly against Liechtenstein back in August 2013. I think this one was better.
Cry for me, Argentina
It's all doom and gloom for Argentina. This was their heaviest defeat in the first round group stages of a World Cup tournament since losing 1-6 to Czechoslovakia in 1958.
They have failed to win either of their opening two group stage matches for the first time since 1974.
Lionel Messi had one shot on goal against Croatia. One.
80 mins - Argentina 0 - Croatia 2
What a finish!
Modric, outside the area, picks up the ball from Brozovic, and curls the ball to the right, past the outstretched Caballero and into the inside side-netting. He runs away with his arms in the air. Croatia are going bonkers. 2-0 they lead. And they deserve it too.
75 mins - Argentina 0 - Croatia 1
It's all heating up here. Rakitic went down in the centre circle, but Croatia continued to attack. They made it all the way to the Argentina area, lost the ball, and then pleaded for the referee to blow for the original foul, which he did. Argentina players furious. Rakitic is winded, but looks fine to continue.
Another Chance - 34 mins - Argentina 0 - Croatia 0
Mandzukic with a free header five yards out, but can't steer it into the goal. That would have been his 31st goal for Croatia. Fantastic cross from Vrsaljko, catching the Argentine defence sleeping again.
Lawrenson says: "Can you imagine Shearer in the studio?" Shearer would have buried that.
Sol Campbell is enjoying this one
Argentina v Croatia Love this game skill passion and little bit of afters in tackles! You got to look after yourself in this type of game!
— Sol Campbell (@SolManOfficial) June 21, 2018
Hope you're following the Telegraph coverage, Sol.
Time for a sing song
Argentina have the Himno Nacional Argentino, and Croatia the Lijepa naša domovino - which means 'Our beautiful.'
But playing them out is Seven Nation Army - a proper tune to hype the crowd up. I'm pretty certain neither the Croatian fans nor the Argentinian fans have changed the lyrics to 'Oh Jeremy Corbyn.'
Who are you backing?
The Croatian football federation have run a twitter poll on tonight's game.
Unsurprisingly, Croatia are favourites.
🇦🇷🆚🇭🇷
— HNS | CFF (@HNS_CFF) June 21, 2018
⬇️Prediction time! Tonight's #ARGCRO outcome?#BeProud #WorldCup #Vatreni🔥
Tick Tock, tick tock
On BBC One Tomasz Schafernaker has finished his weather report without swearing, which is good, and the coverage is about to begin.
You can follow all the World Cup news @telefootball or tweet me directly @jamieojohnson
Argentina: Meza in, Di Maria out
TEAM NEWS // #ARGCRO
— FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 21, 2018
This promises to be a good one in Nizhny Novgorod... 🇦🇷🇭🇷#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/4MuxZz1NEW
Jorge Sampaoli has given Independiente forward Maximiliano Meza the left wing berth for tonight's game in place of Angel Di Maria. The 25-year-old has leapfrogged Boca Juniors' Cristian Pavon into the starting XI.
The Argentina team is: Caballero; Tagliafico, Otamendi, Mercado; Acuna, Perez, Mascherano, Salvio; Meza, Messi; Aguero
Croatia team news
Croatia have announced their line up for tonight's game.
Subasic, Strinic, Vida, Lovren, Vrsaljko, Brozovic, Rakitic, Perisic, Modric, Rebic, Mandzukic.
🇦🇷🆚🇭🇷
— HNS | CFF (@HNS_CFF) June 21, 2018
⬇️ #CRO starting lineup!#BeProud #FlamingPride #ARGCRO #WorldCup #Vatreni🔥 pic.twitter.com/E0vsQGFnqf
The teams have arrived
Argentina and Croatia have both arrived at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. Teams to come shortly
[SELECCIÓN MAYOR] @Argentina ya está en el estadio. ¡¡¡Vamos albiceleste!!! 😁 #SomosArgentina pic.twitter.com/2tokathO72
— Selección Argentina (@Argentina) June 21, 2018
🇦🇷🆚🇭🇷
— HNS | CFF (@HNS_CFF) June 21, 2018
🚌 #CRO arrived to Nizhny Novgorod Stadium!#BeProud #ARGCRO #WorldCup #Vatreni🔥 pic.twitter.com/GdY1sIX9Pr
Lawro watch
Mark Lawrenson is back in the BBC commentary box tonight, alongside Steve Wilson. The former Liverpool defender has been blasted on social media for his grumpy demeanour during the Belgium vs Panama game, as well as for his poor jokes and his apparently shallow insight.
This week, Alan Tyers came to his defence, in a piece which you can read here.
If tonight, all eyes are on Messi, all ears will be on Lawrenson.
Good afternoon, football fans
Hola, zdravo, hello. Welcome to Argentina vs Croatia - the 23rd game of the 2018 World Cup.
This match should be a real cracker, with both teams vying for the top spot in group D ahead of Nigeria and Iceland.
Tonight, at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium we should see lots of expansive, expressive football and hopefully some goals. Argentina's Angel Di Maria looks likely to drop to the bench. In his place will be 22-year-old Cristian Pavon, the Boca Juniors forward who once expressed his love for arch rivals River Plate.
Joining him in attack will be Sergio Aguero and their captain, Lionel Messi. There has been a huge amount of attention on the Barcelona forward since the Iceland game, where he missed penalty and failed to score in 11 shots.
Looking ahead to tonight, the stats are on Messi’s side: he has scored in each of his two previous appearances against Croatia, including his first ever goal for Argentina back in March 2006.
Yesterday in the Croatian press conference, midfielder Ivan Rakitic said: “Tomorrow will be a beautiful day. Croatia needs a perfect performance against Argentina.”
In their last match against Nigeria, they won at a canter, and posed a real threat in the middle of the park. A spine of Subasic, Lovren, Rakitic, Modric and Mandzukic is pretty fearsome, and the Argentines will not be treating them lightly.
One man they won’t need to worry about is Nikola Kalinic. The striker warmed up against Nigeria, but then told coach Zlatko Dalic he had a back issue and refused to come on. He was later sent home.
As omens go, it’s not brilliant for Croatia: they have lost all four of their World Cup meetings with South American sides, and haven’t won back-to-back World Cup games since the 1998 tournament.
Stay tuned for the team news as we get it, and in the meantime, why not join Alistair Tweedale for the last 15 minutes of France vs Peru.