Fans had concerns about Argentina long ago. They squeezed through qualifying and defensively never look far from a disaster.
But surely goals would never be in doubt. Not with Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria and Paulo Dybala at their disposal.
Only goals have been a problem. A big one so far in Russia.
Lionel Messi is Argentina’s focal point as their attacking arsenal has fired blanks in Russia
Sergio Aguero has netted once in the tournament while Gonzalo Higuain has failed to step up
For their clubs the quintet racked up a staggering 141 goals combined. These were numbers bound to strike fear into opponents in Russia.
So strong was Jorge Sampaoli’s attacking arsenal, he felt comfortable leaving 29-goal Inter striker Mauro Icardi at home.
But one goal scored and four conceded after two Group D games saw players and fans hit the big red panic button. Messi was carrying the weight of an expectant nation and his supporting cast had failed to turn up for the main act.
It is important not to forget that without the diminutive Argentine’s hat-trick against Ecuador in Quito in October, Albiceleste’s All Stars would be topping up their tans instead of their playing time.
It was Messi’s hat-trick against Ecuador in October that ensured Argentina even qualified
But his supporting cast are letting him down at the World Cup and he needs them to improve
Everything in the build-up to the World Cup revolved around achieving a ‘Happy Messi’. A training camp in Barcelona, rather than in Argentina, ironically helped make him feel ‘at home’.
Sampaoli’s eggs were in Messi’s basket. A top performing Messi was as close to guaranteeing success as possible.
Iceland was the first obstacle. Messi, a guaranteed starter, was joined by Aguero, Di Maria and Maximiliano Meza in a 4-2-3-1 formation. It appeared this was Plan A in Russia.
Playing as a No 10 was supposed to give Messi the freedom and licence to roam into the pockets he is most effective in.
And after 19 minutes the attack clicked into gear; Aguero, back to goal, picked up the ball inside the area, turned his man and hammered past Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Thor Halldorsson.
It was the Manchester City striker’s first goal at a World Cup and it signified more than just breaking the deadlock. Perhaps the supporting cast to Messi really would turn up when needed after all.
But that has been the extent of Aguero’s contribution.
Often a livewire leading the line he’s cut a frustrated figure who appears too focused on feeding Messi the ball. And after a hammering at the hands of Croatia, he burnt a bridge which may have ended his involvement ahead of the knockout stages.
The City forward was among a host of players demanding Sampaoli was sacked ahead of the Group D decider against Nigeria. The players lost, Sampaoli stayed, and Aguero was dropped. The quintet’s impact was waning fast.
Two lethal strikers at club level, Aguero and Higuain appear burdened in an Argentina shirt
Juventus striker Higuain is tarred with a reputation of missing big chances at big moments
Replacing Aguero was Higuain – a player scarred in the eyes of supporters for missing a gilt-edged opportunity in the World Cup final in Brazil four years ago.
Stained with a reputation for missing big opportunities in big moments, the Juventus striker needs a tournament to release him of the negativity. But so far in Russia, it’s been yet another disappearing act.
A hold-up striker that has proved so effective with compatriot Dybala for Juventus, Higuain has proven toothless once more on the world stage.
It was to be Messi who produced the magic against Nigeria when it mattered most: a ball over the top controlled on the knee before finishing impeccably with his right foot.
While Messi is a special talent, there is a sense that Higuain could not have conjured up such a moment under pressure, weighed down by the weight of the national shirt.
Used as a hold-up man for Messi to take the knockdowns, Higuain has been toothless so far
Ahead of taking on France, Messi needs help from his supporting cast or Argentina will be out
The biggest argument of keeping Higuain in for Saturday’s last-16 tie against France is for his ability to keep France’s centre backs occupied.
It works regularly for Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid with Karim Benzema as his foil and the same justification is often used for Higuain and Messi.
But justification eventually need substance on which to rest and when Sampaoli’s side line up against Didier Deschamps’ men on Saturday afternoon, it could be 30-year-old Higuain’s – and his manager’s – last chance for a World Cup call back.
The auditions are over. It is time for a supporting cast member to take the lead.