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 06:16 2017 Thursday ,28 December

IS moves with 'impunity' in Syria regime-held areas

GMT 02:32 2017 Tuesday ,18 July

China leadership contender under investigation

GMT 09:01 2017 Tuesday ,14 February

Sledging? Go for it, says Australia's Smith

GMT 17:49 2017 Thursday ,26 October

HRH Premier congratulates Turkmen President

GMT 07:17 2017 Wednesday ,23 August

Mahmoud informed on AAAID performance

GMT 05:47 2017 Wednesday ,04 October

Sisi sends message to Mauritanian president

GMT 08:59 2017 Friday ,28 April

Cyclists ride 'for peace' on Middle East tour

GMT 19:02 2017 Friday ,23 June

Thailand`s Queen scheduled to visit Borobudur

GMT 03:22 2017 Sunday ,12 November

Abu Dhabi's GDP increases 6.6 percent during Q2

GMT 14:31 2017 Wednesday ,22 March

Algerian expert calls for security coordination

GMT 16:37 2017 Thursday ,16 March

Iraqi forces kick Daesh out of Mosul train station

GMT 15:36 2014 Thursday ,14 August

Singapore bans Archie comics featuring gay marriage

GMT 09:53 2018 Tuesday ,09 January

Iran is permanently on the verge of a revolution

GMT 11:54 2011 Sunday ,26 June

College holds first doctoral examination

GMT 10:20 2012 Thursday ,19 April

Geddo Habibi is a family film

GMT 11:19 2012 Wednesday ,25 July

Massimo Dutti opens in Al Ain Mall

GMT 15:59 2017 Sunday ,05 February

Abu Dhabi emergency and crisis management team ready
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