Horrified fans are fearing the worst

BUENOS AIRES - The party at the Buenos Aires fan zone fell flat as a crowd expecting a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina World Cup revival could only watch in horror as the nadir of Nizhny Novgorod unfolded.

"We lost very badly, they really humiliated us this time," said 22-year-old Joaquin. "And now, on top of that, we're depending on Nigeria!"

After the abject 3-0 loss to Croatia, the team will have to beat Nigeria in its final game and hope other results go its way to advance.