Prospect of a Messi-less World Cup could be real
Argentina’s qualification hopes hang in the balance
Montevideo – The once unfathomable prospect of a World Cup without Lionel Messi and Argentina could become reality tomorrow as South America’s thrilling 2018 qualification battle reaches its climax.
Two years after Argentina kicked off their troubled campaign with a 2-0 defeat at home to Ecuador, Jorge Sampaoli’s side travel to Quito to face La Tri with their hopes hanging precariously.
The two-time World Cup winners head into the final round of games in sixth place overall, outside the top four positions which grant automatic qualification and trailing fifth-placed Peru, who occupy the play-off spot, on goal difference.
Yet with only two points separating third-placed Chile (26 points) with seventhplaced Paraguay (24), any number of permutations are possible.
Argentina can simplify the equation for their fans, however, if they manage to take all three points.
A victory would guarantee they finish no worse than fifth place, putting them into a two-legged playoff against New Zealand they would be expected to win.
The Argentinians have an abysmal record in away games against Ecuador, with their last victory in Quito coming in 2001.
Since then in World Cup qualifying games, the South American nation has been beaten twice, in 2005 and 2009, before scraping a 1-1 draw in 2013.
Moreover, Argentina face their moment of truth after a series of uninspiring performances that have left the rest of the footballing world scratching its head at how a squad bristling with so much attacking talent has found scoring so difficult.
Despite being able to call upon Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala, Mauro Icardi and Angel Di Maria throughout the campaign, Argentina have only scored 16 times in 17 games. Last Thursday’s 0-0 stalemate with Peru in Buenos Aires was Argentina’s third consecutive draw.
The nations that have qualified for the World Cup with final qualifying matches still to be played are: Belgium, England, Germany, Poland, Russia (as hosts), Spain
Egypt, Nigeria Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia, North Korea Costa Rica,
Europe: Africa: Asia: Latin America:
Mexico
South
Tomorrow
America:
Brazil.
Fixtures
South America