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It was a difficult night for Messi and Argentina.
The South Americans lost their second game of the 2018 World Cup, falling to a 3-0 defeat to Croatia that leaves their hopes of progressing to the last-16 hanging by a thread. Argentina played poorly and didn't deserve to get anything from the game. Some Argentine players looked out of their depth, and regardless of where they finish in Group D, this is the worst Argentina sides we've seen at a World Cup.
Yet, the focus will inevitably be on their captain over the next few days, and a common criticism will be levelled at him again. It's the most common criticism directed at Lionel Messi - that he doesn't reproduce his Barcelona form for his national team.
However, there is no basis for the claim that Messi doesn't produce his best form for Argentina. He's the country's top-scorer ever, with 64 goals in 124 games, and was the main reason they reached three finals in the last four years.
In fact, the only reason Argentina are at the tournament in Russia is that Messi dragged them there.
As noted by South American football expert Tim Vickery , Messi missed eight rounds of qualification and Argentina collected just seven points in those games. In the 10 qualifiers he played, Argentina won 21 points. Messi's hat-trick in the final qualification match against Ecuador ensured his team reached Russia, and his seven goals made him the team's top scorer by a distance - no other Argentina player managed more than two goals in the campaign.
With Messi, Argentina finished third, on 28th points. Without him, they wouldn't have got anywhere near the World Cup. If Messi didn't do it for Argentina, then they wouldn't be in Russia.
If Gonzalo Higuain could take his goal-scoring chances, Messi might already have won the World Cup, or at least the Copa America. Higuain missed sitters in the 2014 World Cup final and a year later in the Copa America final against Chile.

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Yet, Messi has been criticised for not delivering a trophy for his country. In the aftermath of the defeat to Croatia, its likely to be a similar story. The responsibility for the defeat will be put on Messi.
There is only so much one player can do in a team. No matter how talented an individual is, football is a team game. The collective must function for the individual to shine. Cristiano Ronaldo might get the goals and the headlines for Portugal, but they're a well-coached, experienced team, who won the Euro 2016 final against France in Paris without their captain, who left the field injured.
Unlike Argentina, there is structure to Portugal's play. Against Iceland in the 1-1 draw, Argentina's only tactic was to get the ball to Messi and for him to try to use his genius to influence the game. Messi was either crowded out by Iceland, or his teammates were off the pace and incapable of linking up with him. It was predictable and ineffective. Everything came down the middle, where Iceland were strongest. It was like trying to squeeze an elephant through a keyhole. But everything positive Argentina did still came from Messi, and it was the same against Croatia, albeit he wasn't as centrally involved.
He was on the edge of the game, but still created some openings with clever passes. Ultimately, Messi was undone by his sub-par teammates, his indecisive coach - who couldn't settle on a formation - and his goalkeeper. Willy Caballero's error was incredible and conveyed why he was earning just his fifth cap at the age of 36.
Messi will mostly be the focus of attention after this defeat, but that's unfair. Argentina were undone by a soft centre and descended into a shambles. Even Lionel Messi can't keep rescuing such a disjointed and ramshackle team.

https://m0.joe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/21195604/GettyImages-980568230.jpg
It was a difficult night for Messi and Argentina.
The South Americans lost their second game of the 2018 World Cup, falling to a 3-0 defeat to Croatia that leaves their hopes of progressing to the last-16 hanging by a thread. Argentina played poorly and didn't deserve to get anything from the game. Some Argentine players looked out of their depth, and regardless of where they finish in Group D, this is the worst Argentina sides we've seen at a World Cup.
Yet, the focus will inevitably be on their captain over the next few days, and a common criticism will be levelled at him again. It's the most common criticism directed at Lionel Messi - that he doesn't reproduce his Barcelona form for his national team.
However, there is no basis for the claim that Messi doesn't produce his best form for Argentina. He's the country's top-scorer ever, with 64 goals in 124 games, and was the main reason they reached three finals in the last four years.
In fact, the only reason Argentina are at the tournament in Russia is that Messi dragged them there.
As noted by South American football expert Tim Vickery , Messi missed eight rounds of qualification and Argentina collected just seven points in those games. In the 10 qualifiers he played, Argentina won 21 points. Messi's hat-trick in the final qualification match against Ecuador ensured his team reached Russia, and his seven goals made him the team's top scorer by a distance - no other Argentina player managed more than two goals in the campaign.
With Messi, Argentina finished third, on 28th points. Without him, they wouldn't have got anywhere near the World Cup. If Messi didn't do it for Argentina, then they wouldn't be in Russia.
If Gonzalo Higuain could take his goal-scoring chances, Messi might already have won the World Cup, or at least the Copa America. Higuain missed sitters in the 2014 World Cup final and a year later in the Copa America final against Chile.

Advertisement
Yet, Messi has been criticised for not delivering a trophy for his country. In the aftermath of the defeat to Croatia, its likely to be a similar story. The responsibility for the defeat will be put on Messi.
There is only so much one player can do in a team. No matter how talented an individual is, football is a team game. The collective must function for the individual to shine. Cristiano Ronaldo might get the goals and the headlines for Portugal, but they're a well-coached, experienced team, who won the Euro 2016 final against France in Paris without their captain, who left the field injured.
Unlike Argentina, there is structure to Portugal's play. Against Iceland in the 1-1 draw, Argentina's only tactic was to get the ball to Messi and for him to try to use his genius to influence the game. Messi was either crowded out by Iceland, or his teammates were off the pace and incapable of linking up with him. It was predictable and ineffective. Everything came down the middle, where Iceland were strongest. It was like trying to squeeze an elephant through a keyhole. But everything positive Argentina did still came from Messi, and it was the same against Croatia, albeit he wasn't as centrally involved.
He was on the edge of the game, but still created some openings with clever passes. Ultimately, Messi was undone by his sub-par teammates, his indecisive coach - who couldn't settle on a formation - and his goalkeeper. Willy Caballero's error was incredible and conveyed why he was earning just his fifth cap at the age of 36.
Messi will mostly be the focus of attention after this defeat, but that's unfair. Argentina were undone by a soft centre and descended into a shambles. Even Lionel Messi can't keep rescuing such a disjointed and ramshackle team.

Xkalaban:
Oga stop telling me about super chickens biko. Tunisia got a goal at least. And they were very organized too. Their main problem is that they lacked strikers who can finish the job when they counter attacked

chocorex:
Guy no be who work hard but who get grace. U can read all night and skip the part where they set questions, I can read an hour and read luckily what will come out. In the end Na me know book.

Xkalaban:
Even though they lost the match, the Tunisians just won my heart tonight. They played very well and they are very organized. Don't lose hope guys, u fought ur battle well.

ElsonMorali:
First assure yourself that she is only mortal like you.

Then imagine what her worst reaction will be when you accost her.

Then imagine what you hope will be her reaction.

Then reassure yourself that you are irresistible.

Then walk up to her in the midst of her friends, and ask her if you can talk to her for a minute, ALONE.


If she doesn't excuse her friends or starts asking stupid questions like "why?" Or "what for", just tell her " never mind" and walk away thanking your lucky stars you didn't end up with a m0ron.

horlarwereleh:
Guess you didnt undstand me sis, *smiles* i am an introvert, where do u expect me to get all those wing men u mentioned

horlarwereleh:
Yeah, its true!! But we both know some girls are so saucy that when they lambast you like this, hmmm, u will always regret why you approached them!! In the midst of her friends Tufiakwa!!!!

weyreypey:
Flattops again

kallmemrB:
what I don't understand is why go fat then

sirxbit:
Not an animal,a cold blooded animal

chriskosherbal:
oGA I mean no disrespect but what are you saying ..do you know who the Bayern Munich star is ...he is not just a local star but an internationally recognized star ...

BTW. .do you know how much he commands

So knowing and recognizing that he listens to wizkid music that means he enjoys it ..and that means our music is going far and our musicians as well as the music industry is gradually gaining international recognition. .and that is a good one .


C'Mon man appreciate good things ...

Wizzy my guy ...respect

clevvermind:
Many will be ready to lick Buhari's anus because of this.