Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Argentina in battle for survival
ARGENTINA footballers are determined to bring back joy to the nation after a day of mourning the second anniversary of Diego Maradona’s death, coach Lionel Scaloni said yesterday.
Ex-players and fans at the World Cup in Qatar paid tribute to Maradona to mark the 1986 World Cup winner’s death from a heart attack in 2020 at the age of 60.
And after their shock 2-1 defeat to minnows Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Argentina’s players and coach have vowed to turn things around against Mexico tonight to keep alive their dream of lifting the World Cup for the third time.
“It’s a very sad day for everyone. If he is watching us from heaven then tomorrow we hope to bring him joy,” said Scaloni.
“It seems incredible that he is no longer here. It’s a day for all Argentines but we hope that tomorrow will be a happy day.”
Maradona inspired Argentina to their last World Cup victory 36 years ago, when he was widely regarded as the best player of his generation.
Argentina arrived in Doha on a 36-match unbeaten run and as one of the overall favourites to lift the trophy.
But after they slipped up against the Saudis, defeat to Mexico would see them eliminated from the tournament. The players know they cannot afford a repeat of their opening match.
“It was difficult but we’re a united group, a strong group that knows what we want, we know about our opponents, we’ve already overcome many things,” said Lautaro Martinez, who twice had a goal ruled out for offside against the Saudis.
Asked about whether going out in the group stages would be the biggest catastrophe in Argentine football history, Martinez insisted the thought had never crossed anyone’s mind in the squad.
Mexico winger Hirving Lozano said his side would take heart from Argentina’s shock defeat.
“It’s very motivating but like all matches we respect our opponents, we will try to go about it in the best way possible against Argentina.”
While the focus will largely be on Argentina’s last chance saloon, Mexico’s Argentine coach Gerardo Martino said it was also a crucial match for his side, who drew 0-0 with Poland in their first game.
Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand says he has no fears about facing World Cup holders France tonight, having twice beaten them in the Nations League this year.
The Danes drew 0-0 with Tunisia in their opening game but know a positive result against France at Stadium 974 will leave them well placed in Group D before playing Australia in their final match.
Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark defeated France home and away in the Nations League and arrived in Qatar as one of the pre-tournament dark horses.
The two teams also met in the group stage at the last World Cup, playing out the only goalless draw four years ago in Russia.
France lost Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema to injury on the eve of the World Cup, but Didier Deschamps’ side thrashed Australia 4-1 to launch their title defence.
Olivier Giroud struck twice to equal Thierry Henry’s all-time goals record for France, while Kylian Mbappe scored and grabbed an assist in a commanding performance from Les Bleus.
Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen played the full 90 minutes against Tunisia in his first match at a major tournament since suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch at last year’s European Championship.
“It’s been quite a while. It’s more about me as a player now. I’m just happy to be back as a footballer,” said Eriksen.