It came as a rude shock on Thursday as Croatia humiliated Argentina 3-0 at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.
La Albiceleste were tipped to comeback strongly against the Europeans following their disappointing 1-1 draw with Iceland in their opening encounter.
However, the reverse was the case as they crumbled to second half strikes from Ante Rebic, Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, as their Round of 16 hopes hang in the balance.
Goal takes a look at the best of the reaction to the result, with many blaming Jorge Sampaoli for his tactical incompetence.
Cry For Me Argentina
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) June 21, 2018
The truth is, I never left you
All through my wild days, my mad existence
I kept my promise
Don't keep your distance
🇦🇷😢 pic.twitter.com/Oa3k2v8va1
FT: #ARG 0-3 #CRO. This is a shocking result for real and that is football for you. The game is not played on paper #NokiaMobileonAndroid
— Mutiu Adepoju (@MutiuAdepoju8) June 21, 2018
Argentina’s World Cup woes would no doubt tarnish Leo Messi’s lasting football legacy #ARGCRO 😭😭
— Shina Oludare (@sportingshina) June 21, 2018
Jorge Sampaoli is the cause of this embarrassing defeat... #Arg #WorldCup
— Taiye Taiwo (@tayo_taiwo) June 21, 2018
Brilliant from Modric but in all the years of watching Argentina I can’t remember them ever having such a poor side.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 21, 2018
What a day!!!
— borna coric (@borna_coric) June 21, 2018
Victory number 100 and than 3-0 against Argentina 😁😁😁
Excitement level = 💯#WorldCup #CroArg #CRO
#ARGCRO what Croatia did to Argentina pic.twitter.com/5tnt0Fn5VH
— Bill friggin Jordan (@bojorex) June 21, 2018
1 - This was Argentina’s heaviest defeat in the first round group stages of a World Cup tournament since losing 1-6 to Czechoslovakia in 1958. Crushed. #ARG #CRO #ARGCRO
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 21, 2018
Willy Caballero tonight...#ARGCRO pic.twitter.com/RM36Yxet9v
— ⚽️442oons⚽️ (@442oons) June 21, 2018
Argentina is shit,the coach is bigger shit,caballero is crap and messi is a lazy fool.I finally agree Ronaldo is 🐐 #ARGCRO
— Russia2018 (@DennisMutunga14) June 21, 2018
Mr. Perfect is angry 😂😭 #Messi #Rakitic #ARGCRO pic.twitter.com/kzsxusAh16
— AJ_ (@Adiana28_) June 21, 2018
The Award of Most Horrible Performance so far in this World Cup goes to Argentina 👏👏 #ARGCRO
— Osas Cruz (@OsasCruz) June 21, 2018
The sad part is that Messi is going to blamed since Argentina lost- but soccer is not a one man show; it’s about team work. Looking at these matches the cup will be won by these underdog teams that play as a team and play with the same pace from start to finish #ARGCRO
— Simphiwe N. Mbatha (@Simphiwe__M) June 21, 2018
The time your supposed GOAT should have spent training for the World Cup, he spent on taking selfies with a goat, now see. #ARGCRO
— FAVOUR ONYEOZIRI (GCFR) (@Rouvafe) June 21, 2018
The world cup is like a world war, it's not by those who the best army(team) nor weapons(training facilities & kits) that become victorious rather it's by your determination & and team work. #ARGCRO
— David Damkor (@damkor_david) June 21, 2018
Argentina needs a new coach, new defenders, new goalkeeper and Cristiano Ronaldo 😂 #WorldCup #ARGCRO pic.twitter.com/rRDKhSXD3S
— Buleh Hlatshwayo (@Buleh_Zoe) June 21, 2018