The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Argentina boss remains confident of advancing
Under pressure Argentina boss Jorge Sampaoli admits his side face a “momentous” must-win clash with Nigeria.
Argentina know only a win will do if they are to avoid a humiliating exit at the group stages.
They currently lie bottom of Group D with a solitary point to their name following a draw with Iceland and an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Croatia.
Yet Sampaoli remains convinced his beleaguered side can salvage something from what has been a dismal World Cup campaign so far.
“For us it’s a momentous game, I think both teams are going to do everything possible to qualify, that makes the match very attractive,” he said.
“The week was difficult after the defeat, it means we depend on a result. I am convinced that the team is going to win tomorrow.”
Sampaoli is expected to make changes with Sergio Aguero reportedly facing the axe, while goalkeeper Willy Caballero is set to make way for Franco Armani following his blunder against
Croatia.
Nigeria, second in the group with three points, need to win to guarantee their progress but could also go through with a draw if Iceland do not beat Croatia.
Iceland, who are at a World Cup finals for the first time, face alreadyqualified leaders Croatia knowing they need a win to have any chance of progressing.
Boss Heimir Hallgrimsson said: “If it’s the Eurovision Song Contest we always think we’re going to win it.
“It’s the same here – we think we’re going to win all the games. And even if we lose we think we’re going to win the next one. I think it is in the genes, optimism.”
In Group C Denmark face France with Danish coach Age Hareide warned by French counterpart Didier Deschamps that he may regret making dismissive remarks.
Last month, Hareide told a newspaper that France are “nothing special” and lack leaders, and said Paul Pogba cares more about his hair than his football.
France are expected to make changes for the game but Deschamps told a press conference that Denmark would be given no “helping hand” and his objective was to win the game and top the group.
Deschamps’ men have already qualified for the knockout stages but Denmark, on four points, need a draw to claim a place in the last 16.
Australia need France to win the game as they take on Peru, who cannot advance after two defeats. A victory for the Socceroos would then give them a chance of second.