Argentina boss Jorge Sampaoli denies rumours of player feud

Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli has denied that he was involved in a feud with his squad ahead of their final Group D fixture against Nigeria.

The nation need three points against Salisu Yusuf's side on Tuesday to have any hope of qualifying for the knockout stages, with the South Americans currently sat rock bottom of the table.

It was suggested that the Argentina squad had rebelled against their manager and planned to pick their own team for the Nigeria game, but Sampaoli has said that there is no truth to the rumours.

"I can't clarify situations that don't exist. When we finished the last match I took responsibility for the loss," he told reporters.

"I am the coach so the next day I started to think about how we can win tomorrow as a team."

Qualification to the round of 16 will be secured for Argentina if they beat Nigeria and Croatia avoid defeat to Iceland.