Modern legend's last chance to secure greatness

2 years ago 86

Lionel Messi is wide regarded arsenic 1 of, if not the, top footballers of each clip - but for some, you can't beryllium considered the champion until you triumph the eventual trophy.

In a batch of ways, that's an unfair anticipation - determination are a cardinal things that spell into winning a World Cup, and they each person to spell close to scope the promised land, adjacent if you are the champion subordinate successful the world.

But had Gonzalo Higuain not missed 1 sitter successful 2014, and been offside erstwhile helium did yet instrumentality the shot successful the backmost of net, Messi would already person a World Cup to his name.

His nation's deficiency of planetary occurrence was often utilized arsenic a instrumentality to bushed him with, until past year's Copa America - but adjacent winning South America's premier contention isn't capable for some.

Rightly oregon wrongly, it's World Cup oregon bust for the 35-year-old. Perhaps he'll inactive beryllium astir successful 2026, but this looms arsenic the past dance.

Few neutrals would begrudge him the success.

World Cup previews: All 32 squads | Group A | Group B

Argentina arsenic a full person a much well-rounded squad than 4 years ago, and are presented with a radical that should supply small situation if they're astatine their best.

Poland and Mexico are some capable to situation apical teams if things spell right, but it's La Albiceleste's radical to lose.

From there, anything's possible.

Teams (FIFA World Ranking)

Argentina (3)

While the likes of Uruguay and Ecuador had to combat for each constituent to narrowly unafraid the 3rd and 4th spots successful South America, some Argentina and Brazil cruised. Neither mislaid a game, and the erstwhile wrapped up their spot successful Qatar with 4 games to spare.

Saudi Arabia (51)

Saudi Arabia's spot was locked up aft Australia's frustrating nonaccomplishment to Japan successful Sydney earlier this year - they ended up topping the radical aft beating the Socceroos successful a dormant rubber successful the last circular a fewer days later.

Mexico (13)

They were lone mathematically assured of qualification connected the last day, but with some the USA and Costa Rica playing each other, the hard enactment was already done - and they would yet decorativeness 2nd successful North America, down Canada.

Poland (26)

Poland finished runners up successful their radical but were fixed a bye into the play-off last aft Russia were kicked retired - they matched up against Sweden successful a one-off crippled for a spot successful Qatar, and came distant 2-0 winners.

Fixtures:

Argentina vs Saudi Arabia - Tuesday November 22, 9pm (AEDT)

Mexico vs Poland - Wednesday November 23, 3am

Poland vs Saudi Arabia - Sunday November 27, 12am

Argentina vs Mexico - Sunday November 27, 6am

Poland vs Argentina - Thursday December 1, 6am

Saudi Arabia vs Mexico - Thursday December 1, 6am

Prediction:

Mexico person 1 of the astir unthinkable records astatine the World Cup, advancing to precisely the circular of 16 astatine each tourney betwixt 1994 and 2018. We expect that to proceed here, portion Argentina should suffice comfortably connected top.

1st: Argentina

2nd: Mexico

3rd: Poland

4th: Saudi Arabia

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