Argentina can still reach the quarterfinals of the Copa America despite two abysmal group matches - a scoreless draw against Colombia and a 1-1 result in the tournament opener against Bolivia.
The Argentines have to beat Costa Rica on Monday, which is playing as a guest and is fielding what amounts to its second-string team. But even that may tax Argentina, which is led by Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez but has scored only one goal in 180 minutes and was booed off the field Wednesday.
Argentina was the pre-tournament favorite, playing at home and hoping to win its first major title in 18 years. Now, its sights are set lower, a humbled football power trying to survive.
''We understand the fans have a right to express themselves. This is football and they paid for the tickets,'' Argentina defender Javier Zanetti said. ''The works continues, and now it's Costa Rica. We know we are below the level we expected, but this is the reality. We have to take charge and correct it.''
Former coach Diego Maradona failed to meld his superstars into a team in the World Cup, losing to Germany 4-0 in the quarterfinals.
His replacement, Sergio Batista, is failing, too, and Messi has shown little of his Barcelona form and does not mesh with Tevez. Batista finished Wednesday's match against Colombia with four forwards, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Tevez and Messi.
''We're good players but we aren't a team,'' Tevez said. ''This is what we are looking for. People think we can score four goals in five minutes. They want this, but it's difficult.''
Tevez, who said this week he intends to leave Manchester City, was up front about the team problems. Messi had a doping test after the match and did not speak with reporters.
''I had only one shot on goal,'' Tevez said. ''We have to solve this. There has to be self-criticism and a determination not to leave things as they are. It's in our hands.''
Argentina's two star forwards were outplayed by Colombia strikers Radamel Falcao and Dayro Moreno, who had more chances and perhaps should have given their team victory. Only Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero saved Argentina.
''We deserved three points,'' Colombia captain Mario Alberto Yepes said. ''We had the chances to win. We had a lot of attacks we didn't finish.''
Batista acknowledged that Colombia defended well against Messi, always surrounding him with markers.
''They shut down the open spots. They knew how to play. They knew our game,'' Batista said. ''Things are not going well for us. We did not expect two games like this.''
Messi's low moment came in the 81st minute with a free kick from the top right corner of the penalty area. His attempt sailed 10 meters (yards) high and wide. He also fell to the ground in first-half stoppage time, going down untouched when his boot got caught on a clump of grass.
Argentina has two points from two games in Group A, while Colombia leads with four. Bolivia, with one point, and Costa Rica, with zero, play Thursday. The top two teams in the group advance to the quarterfinals while the best two third-place teams from the three groups also advance.
''If we win we will have five points and we reach the quarterfinals,'' Batista said. ''We have to stay calm and move forward. We advance with the victory and we have to have faith we can do it.''
Costa Rica, coached by Argentina-born Ricardo La Volpe, and Mexico are using inexperienced Olympic-style squads in this tournament because they are not part of the South American confederation and are playing as guests. Their full-strength teams recently played in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
