Lionel Messi and Argentina can still make it to the last 16. Here is how.
When Argentina took field against Croatia on Thursday, all eyes were on Lionel Messi, who was yet to score a goal in FIFA World Cup 2018.
The Argentine fans were aware that only a win could secure their team a place in the last 16 and a loss could push them on brink of elimination. Knowing that Messi’s decorated career is just eluded of an international trophy and this might be his last chance to take a shot at the World Cup glory, the Argentine side had to win more than ever.
Expectation, emotion, joy, doubts, uncertainty, surprise, fear, tension and finally disappointment - a lot of disappointment - all that, and in that order, was felt by millions of Argentines across the globe when they watched their heroes go 0-3 down against Croatia at Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.
However, game is not over yet for Argentina and there are a few permutations and combinations which show previous edition’s finalists still can make it to the knockout stage.
For Messi and Co. to qualify for the last 16, here are the few things that should happen:
►Iceland tie or lose to Nigeria on Friday.
►Croatia then need to beat or tie Iceland.
►Argentina must to beat Nigeria.
In case, Iceland defeat Nigeria on Friday, there still will be a slight chance for La Albiceleste to make it for the quarter-finals, which would rely on them beating Nigeria, Iceland losing to Croatia and then it would come down to a tiebreaker, since both teams would be on four points.
Goal difference would decide it at that point, and if goal difference is the same, then it will go to yellow cards, of which Argentina has more than a few.
If none of the above happens, Argentina are eliminated.
It is safe to say that, the Nigerians will have way more support in Friday’s match against Iceland; along with the Nigerians, thousands of Argentine fans will pray for their victory over the boosted Icelanders.
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