We lacked 'a clear idea' at World Cup admits Jorge Sampaoli

Jorge Sampaoli, suggested that Argentina lacked a “clear idea” at this World Cup, after his side were eliminated by France at the last-16 stage. Argentina’s 4-3 defeat sealed their worst World Cup campaign since 2002, and after endless tinkering with tactics, rumours of senior players seizing control of the team and a series of insipid performances, Sampaoli admitted that pragmatism had triumphed over footballing identity.

The 58-year-old made no firm decision on his future, while suggesting that ultimately - and not for the first time, it has to be said - events may lie outside his control. Certainly it is hard to see the former Sevilla coach continuing in the role after a tournament like this, an impression fuelled by talk of a discontented camp, brooding players and an essential indecision over the sort of football Argentina were supposed to be playing.

“I think that we adapted to necessity, maybe, rather than having a clear idea,” Sampaoli said. “We had a clear need, we had to win. That was our main goal, and that was maybe stronger than our football concept. We had the best player in the world [Lionel Messi], and we had to try and create collective situations that allowed us to really use that player.

AS IT HAPPENED: France v Argentina, last 16

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“We tried many different tactics: surrounding him, creating situations for him. We tried to use everything we had to allow him to do what he can do. We can analyse the structure and the performance, but I think there has been a development in this team. They fought until the very last minute and almost equalised at the end, and that’s what I really value.”

The Argentinian footballing public may have subtly different priorities to Sampaoli. They may also take issue with his attempts to put a positive spin on Argentina’s exit. “You know, I don’t like the word failure,” Sampaoli said. “I think that Argentina really fought. We fought and we had opportunities, and we almost managed to equalise. So this is not the ideal situation, and I would maybe have preferred the team to work differently, but that’s the way it is.”

What happens next, of course, is anyone’s guess. Sampaoli would only said that he would “analyse truthfully what has happened and then decide what to do on our future”, adding: “Sometimes there are options and sometimes there aren’t options. Of course I feel a certain frustration, but this will make me stronger as a coach, allow me to learn and grow.”

For France coach Didier Deschamps, there was a certain vindication, after a side that had looked disjointed in the group phase produced a scintillating display of attacking football. “We could have scored even more goals, I think,” a bullish Deschamps said. “The Argentinian team is much better in attacking than defending. Their ball possession didn’t lead to much, because they passed the ball between the four defenders without causing too many difficulties for us.”

Deschamps reserved special praise for Kylian Mbappe, whose two goals capped a career-defining performance. “I’ve always said he’s very good,” Deschamps said. “I’m very happy for Mbappe to be a French citizen, he has a lot of room to make progress. But in such an important match, he’s shown all his talent."