Argentina's media stuck the boot into Lionel Messi and his teammates on Thursday, branding the team's World Cup defeat to Croatia a "catastrophe" and a "humiliation". Argentina face the prospect of an embarrassing first-round exit in Russia after suffering a 3-0 loss to the Croatians in Nizhny Novgorod, which left them with one point from two games. For Argentina's press, the result was too much to bear.

"Catastrophe against Croatia, Argentina disappoints and is on the way out of the World Cup," the Clarin newspaper wrote on its website. "Argentina were ridiculed by Croatia and has jeopardised its future in the competition," La Nacion added. Television commentator Diego Latorre, of the TV Publica network, reflected on the lacklustre contribution of Messi. "Messi was at a standstill, he was off the pace, depressed," Latorre said.