The 2018 FIFA World Cup could be set to not have the presence of Lionel Messi as Argentina were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw against Peru.
Another match, another frustrating result for Argentina. La Albiceleste’s attack boasts of some of the most feared players in world football. But, on the international stage, they seem to flatter to deceive. And this could very well spell the end of Argentina’s hopes of making it to the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Argentina were held at home by Peru in a goalless draw which raised some more questions as to their inability to get a single goal on the day.
There were mixed reactions to Messi’s performance against Peru, with some blaming his teammates while others pointed to the the Barcelona superstar’s own mistakes and inability to score.
Lionel Messi can only do so much on his own. ✈️ pic.twitter.com/HoBmxNM489
— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 6, 2017
Messi vs Peru (H)
In Argentina’s most important group match to date, Messi’s downfall was once again, his teammates. pic.twitter.com/a84MptamXQ— Enzo (@Eliminastrio) October 6, 2017
Argentina 0-0 Peru. The possibility of a World Cup without Messi is very real. pic.twitter.com/NI2z1iGfh2
— ESPN Sports (@espnsporfs) October 6, 2017
Messi in last 3 Games for Argentina
0 Goals
0 Goals
0 Goals
But but he completed dribbles and keypasses pic.twitter.com/pJrYkKyzet— Hammad (@Ronaldoesquee) October 6, 2017
Messi is not blameless. Yes he set up 3 great chances in the 2nd half but he also missed this sitter. No excuses. pic.twitter.com/9hVi8RUsrh
— Adam Joseph (@AdamJosephSport) October 6, 2017
Leo Messi seems to get a pass for his mistakes because of his ability. Others don’t, so that shouldn’t make him less accountable.
— Adam Joseph (@AdamJosephSport) October 6, 2017
Should Argentina fail to qualify…guess everyone can stop calling Messi world’s greatest. Last time Arg didn’t play in WC…1970 in Mexico.
— Romy Jarr (@romyjarr) October 6, 2017
world cup without messi ? ? pic.twitter.com/812GNRFJaK
— Hamid (@Engineer_hu_bc) October 6, 2017
The only regret messi will have after retiring from football is choosing to play for Argentina over Spain
— Moh’d Abadani (@abadanyy) October 6, 2017
They’ll say Messi let Argentina down, but truth is its vice versa pic.twitter.com/8ununj4H0y
— khawla. (@K_Blaugrana) October 6, 2017
Messi vs Peru. Chances and assists wasted. Another game where his teammates went missing, and Leo was the one to try it all. pic.twitter.com/gBLFEZRyOf
— mx (@BUSQXETS2) October 6, 2017
When you’ve got Messi, Dybala, Higuain, Aguero and Icardi but score 16 goals in 17 World Cup qualifiers pic.twitter.com/Zml9aQNX7y
— Roger Gonzalez (@RGonzalezCBS) October 6, 2017
Regarding ARG, they don’t deserve to qualify. Messi put on his best performance of the season tonight & no one (besides Masche) stepped up
— Muy de Laportismo (@MoRosement) October 6, 2017
People also seemed to blame Sampaoli, whose arrival has not done anything to improve Argentina’s fortunes.
FT | Argentina 0 – 0 Peru. What was Sampaoli thinking with this lineup?!?! pic.twitter.com/0P5OgS89K3
— BarçaSpiral (@BarcaSpiral) October 6, 2017
I was so excited when Sampaoli took over. Oh how wrong I was. He’s been worse than Tata. Done incredibly well with Chile.
— Josip (@jperkovic93) October 6, 2017
Jorge Sampaoli subbing on Fernando Gago for Ever Banega is the worst sub since Rodrigo Palacio for Gonzalo Higuain in 2014 World Cup final.
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) October 6, 2017
Sampaoli was brought in to take ?? to the World Cup.. not do everything in his power to keep them out of it.
— Arjun Pradeep (@IndianRegista) October 6, 2017
Since arriving, Sampaoli has barely improved Argentina, implemented failed tactical tweaks and now there’s a real risk they fail to qualify.
— EiF (@EiFsoccer) October 6, 2017
Argentina has never won since Sampaoli
— Sergi ?? (@UnfunnyCule) October 6, 2017