Sampaoli defends Messi, blasts Argentina

Jorge Sampaoli is lambasting his team after a 3-0 loss put Argentina on the edge of failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup’s knockout rounds. “The reality of the Argentina squad clouds Lionel Messi’s brilliance,” Sampaoli said. Sampaoli said his players could not find a way to get the ball to Messi, and that the introduction of Boca Juniors youngster Cristian Pavón was aimed at opening up the field a little bit.