Argentina’s hopes of progression at World Cup 2018 are on life support after Lionel Messi disappeared and Croatia roared to a vital 3-0 victory that sent them into the knockouts.

Head coach Jorge Sampaoli’s woeful tactical rejig into a 3-4-2-1 formation led to an error-strewn display, that brought out the worst in the Barcelona icon.

All three goals came in the second half. Eintracht Frankfurt forward Ante Rebic – lucky to stay on after a first-half horror challenge on Eduardo Salvio – emphatically volleyed in from goalkeeper Wily Caballero’s cataclysmic chipped pass, before Real Madrid superstar Luka Modric struck a goal of staggering quality from 25 yards.

Barca’s Ivan Rakitic finished off against a bedraggled side during injury time. His shot was pushed into substitute Mateo Kovacic’s path and he then calmly applied the finish into an open net.

La Albiceleste will now be praying that pointless Nigeria can prevent Iceland winning on Friday. If the latter do win, a point will send them through in their final Group D-game regardless of Argentina’s result.

Here are our Argentina ratings:

ARGENTINA (3-4-2-1)

Willy Caballero – 3: A moment that will haunt him for eternity saw the Chelsea reserve chip up a back pass straight into the path of Rebic.

Gabriel Mercado – 5: Made one brutal foul on Rebic a few minutes before the goal. His play, otherwise, didn’t settle a frantic side.

Nicolas Otamendi – 5: So assured for Manchester City. That went out the window at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. One of several players lucky to get away with sloppy first-half errors.

Nicolas Tagliafico – 5: The Ajax man presaged Caballero’s appalling later error with a rushed back pass in the first half.

Eduardo Salvio – 4: No crosses, key passes or tackles for the Benfica winger turned wing-back. Understandably hooked.

Enzo Perez – 5: Staggering that Sampaoli turned to a man he didn’t initially select in his 23-man squad, rather than Sevilla’s Ever Banega. Missed open goal in first half.

Javier Mascherano – 5: The hands of time have caught up with the veteran defensive midfielder. Game passed him by.

Marcos Acuna – 5: Sporting Lisbon winger showed spiky side with three tackles. But this defensive work was not matched in attacking play.

Lionel Messi – 3: Sampaoli’s tactical change was meant to bring best out of Argentina icon. Instead, he disappeared. Only Sergio Aguero had less touches by half-time. A final change to make history is passing him by.

Maximiliano Meza – 4: The Independiente attacking midfielder was an odd choice. Did nothing to justify selection over Paulo Dybala, even taking into account Juventus superstar’s past underachievement at international level.

Sergio Aguero – 3: The goalscorer from the draw against Iceland went 21 minutes without making a touch in first half. Hooked on 53 minutes for Gonzalo Higuain.

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Gonzalo Higuain – 5: Fared little better than invisible Aguero. Last international goal was in October 2016.

Cristian Pavon – 5: The Boca Juniors forward is a favourite of the watching Diego Maradona. Didn’t perform like his idol.

Paulo Dybala – 6: Curled one effort wide soon after coming on. This was a 13th goalless La Albiceleste appearance. Strange.

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