Argentina, considered by many to be among the FIFA World Cup title favourites, began its Qatar 2022 campaign with a shock 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
This loss makes the Lionel Messi-led side’s chances of qualifying from Group C to the round of 16 more difficult.
How Argentina can ensure qualification for the knockout stage of the World Cup
The South American side next faces Mexico on November 27 and then takes on Poland on December 1.
Argentina needs to win both these games to give itself the best chance for qualification. Two wins would put it at six points, which could ensure a top spot depending on other results.
If Argentina fails to win one of the next two games, its progression would become harder. A draw and a win would leave it at four points, which would mean it need other results of the group to go in its favour.
If Argentina finishes second, it will make the road forward more difficult than it would want as it chases a third World Cup title. In the round of 16, it could potentially run into defending champion France. Incidentally, France beat Argentina 4-3 in the round of 16 in Russia 2018.
Argentina finishing second in Group C would keep alive a potential Brazil-Argentina final, as it would put both the South American giants on different sides of the bracket, of course, assuming the Selecao finishes on top of its group.
Losing to either Mexico or Poland would almost end Argentina’s hopes of making it to the knockout rounds.
There is one scenario where Argentina could qualify even if it loses one more game in the group stage, but this one comes with conditions attached.
This is the sixth time Argentina has lost its opening fixture in the World Cup. The last time it happened was in the 1990 World Cup, when the Diego Maradona-led side lost to Cameroon 1-0, before bouncing back to make it to the final. (SportsStar)
