Argentina’s World Cup final performance was a disgrace to Lionel Messi’s legacy

Don’t cry for them, Argentina. Some tears were shed by Lionel Messi, after an unsatisfactory end to one of the great World Cup careers. But his team-mates merit rather less sympathy. What had been a valiant, dramatic and compelling attempt to retain the World Cup ended with a lack of discipline, creativity and, above all, shots.The historic feat, it transpired, was not becoming the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win consecutive World Cups, but in being officially the least attacking te