Now or never for Messi and chaotic Argentina
fourth, Peru are missing key players but were the only team to win both their matches last month. Misfiring Argentina, who failed to score in four of their last seven qualifiers, then face a tough test against Ecuador at altitude.
They will be without Sergio Aguero but that will not concern the locals, who have frequently singled out the injured Manchester City striker for criticism, while Gonzalo Higuain has been dropped from the squad completely. Paulo Dybala is expected to warm the bench, with concerns he and Messi do not function effectively together.
A lack of cohesion in attack has been one of the few constants on Argentina’s road to Russia. They have hit just 16 goals in 16 games, the second-fewest of all 10 nations. They now hope Atalanta’s Papu Gomez and Boca hero Dario Benedetto can change their fortunes. In Manchester United’s Sergio Romero, they have a first-choice goalkeeper who has spent a club career on the bench, while they have not produced a topclass centre-back since Roberto Ayala retired a decade ago.
After a hat-trick of runners-up medals, Argentina’s star turns are well aware that Russia will be their last roll of the dice. Time is running out and 30-yearold Messi has not even booked his ticket. What wouldn’t he give to be staring at the tarmac ready to depart for Russia?
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