messis argentina on collision course
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

With Spain

Messi's Argentina on collision course

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Messi's Argentina on collision course

Lionel Messi's quest to deliver World Cup glory for Argentina
Moscow - Arab Today

Lionel Messi's quest to deliver World Cup glory for Argentina could pit the two-time champions against a handful of familiar faces in a potential quarter-final showdown with Spain.
But neither 2010 World Cup winners Spain, who finished above Italy in qualifying, nor Argentina, indebted to a Messi hat-trick in the thin air of Quito as they scraped through the South American section, will have it easy in the group stage in Russia.
Consigned to pot two for Friday's draw, Spain must overcome Cristiano Ronaldo and European champions Portugal, their opening opponents in Sochi on June 15, in order to top Group B.
Uruguay's delight at finding themselves in a seemingly soft Group A might have been tempered by the realisation that if they do repeat their feats of the last two World Cups and advance to the knockout rounds they will, in all probability face either Spain or Portugal.
The two Iberian powers, for their part, will know that the prize for winning their group will be a second-round game against the runners-up in Group A, which, barring a Uruguayan slip, will be Egypt, Saudi Arabia or hosts Russia, the lowest-ranked team in the competition.
Messi and 2014 finalists Argentina were placed alongside a Croatia featuring Barcelona team-mate Ivan Rakitic and Real Madrid's Luka Modric, with Nigeria and debutants Iceland rounding out a competitive Group D.
Argentina, who play Nigeria in their last match after Group C has finished, might have the luxury of choosing whether they prefer the first or second-place team from France's quartet.
The options could include Peru, ranked 10th in the world, or No. 19 Denmark who, after a shaky start to qualifying, surged to the finals with an unbeaten run of nine matches ending in a five-goal mauling of Ireland.
If Argentina progress as group winners as expected, and Spain edge Portugal to top spot, the two nations could collide in Sochi for a place in the semi-finals, with holders Germany then the most likely obstacle between the winner and the final.
Brazil's path to a sixth World Cup title is unlikely to encounter much resistance from a group featuring Switzerland, Serbia and Costa Rica, but any misstep would probably set up a last-16 showdown with Germany.
Should Tite's side win the group a meeting with Mexico or Sweden looks on the cards, and England or Belgium could then await them in the quarter-finals.
A repeat of their 2014 run to the last four, and the chance to move on from their humiliating 7-1 loss in Belo Horizonte, could leave Brazil facing France for a shot at glory.
Joachim Loew's Germany will expect to top a section featuring Mexico, Sweden and South Korea, and would be heavy favourites in the knockout phase against the runners-up of Group E -- assuming it is not Neymar's Brazil.
A subsequent match-up with the winners from Group H, a pool including neighbours Poland and Colombia, or England or Belgium as the runners-up from Group G, would prove a taller hurdle, with Argentina, Spain or Portugal potential semi-final foes.
Irrespective of whether England advance from their pool, Gareth Southgate's team will almost certainly come up against the might of Brazil or Germany if they get as far as the quarter-finals.

Get latest news & live updates on the go on your pc with News App. Download The Times of India news app for your device.

Source:AFP

arabstoday
arabstoday

GMT 01:59 2017 Thursday ,28 December

record-breaker Kane eyes getting better

GMT 10:24 2017 Sunday ,26 November

Messi to end career at Barca

GMT 05:51 2017 Saturday ,11 November

Sampaoli calls on Messi's team-mates

GMT 12:06 2017 Saturday ,04 November

'Monstrous' Messi to enter Barca's 600 club

GMT 15:45 2017 Tuesday ,10 October

Ronaldo, Messi lead Ballon d'Or nominees
Arab Today, arab today

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

messis argentina on collision course messis argentina on collision course

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

messis argentina on collision course messis argentina on collision course

 



GMT 18:41 2017 Monday ,13 March

Attempt by 99 persons to sneak into Libya foiled

GMT 10:49 2017 Wednesday ,29 March

Brazil book FIFA World Cup berth, Argentina tumble

GMT 14:46 2017 Monday ,09 January

DAE appoints senior strategic adviser

GMT 07:52 2018 Thursday ,04 January

Thomas scores 17 points in debut for Cavaliers

GMT 07:01 2017 Saturday ,08 April

Army: 2 enemy spy drones violated Lebanese airspace

GMT 10:47 2011 Monday ,15 August

Children’s festival in Qatar

GMT 19:10 2011 Friday ,29 April

First match since Japan disaster

GMT 05:53 2017 Wednesday ,05 April

EU trade deal is ‘paramount’ for Mexico

GMT 02:11 2017 Monday ,09 October

January21st-February19th

GMT 11:37 2017 Monday ,15 May

Egypt uncovers chamber of mummies

GMT 21:49 2017 Thursday ,23 November

Northern Governorate celebrates Bahraini Women's Day

GMT 04:10 2017 Wednesday ,26 July

Indonesia safe from Zika virus

GMT 07:56 2017 Sunday ,19 November

Ambassador of Saudi Arabia calls on CM

GMT 11:14 2017 Sunday ,12 March

My video is flagrant but smashed the charts

GMT 10:56 2017 Sunday ,12 February

Mohamed al-Khayary prepares for "Massoud"

GMT 18:40 2017 Monday ,30 October

Egypt's bourse gains EGP 6.4 bn

GMT 16:15 2016 Monday ,09 May

Advent Gets In Shape For Fitness First Bid
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday