"When we win, everyone wins, but when Argentina lose, people always blame [forward Lionel] Messi. I think it's unfair towards him. This is too grave a responsibility for a player. I will take the blame for him failing to score that penalty. He is one of the best players in the world... [But] one player can't be responsible for a team's defeat," Sampaoli told journalists.

Argentina will take on Croatia on Thursday. They were held to a 1-1 draw by Iceland, with Messi failing to score from the penalty spot in their first match of the tournament.