The Difficulties of Argentina Winning the World Cup (Part 2)

In case you haven't read the part 1 of this post, click the active link and you can read the story of the possible roadblocks of Argentina in winning the elusive World Cup in 20th century. As a summary, the nations Poland & Mexico will give them a hard time in the group stages. While in the knockout stages, France and Denmark will likely be their opponents depending on both group's position. The quarterfinals match up will probably feature a match vs Netherlands or England depending on which side of the playoff bracket they position.

Semi-finals will also feature the best of the best. These teams managed to handle tough matches and possible injuries incurred in their group, knockout, and quarterfinal stages. I'm also expecting upsets in this World Cup edition considering this is the first time a middle-east country, which has a very hot weather hosts the quartennial world cup. Now, lets continue the fate of Argentina if they manage to past through the quarterfinals.

If Argentina sits on top of the Bracket

Take note that for them to sit on the top of the playoff bracket, Argentina needs to top group (C). If you'll look at the bracket, they will play against the winner of Group E-H. This is a little bit complicated but to determine who will Argentina face depends on their final position in the group stage.

Group E	Group F	Group	Group H
Germany	Belgium	Brazil	Portugal
Spain	Croatia	Switzerland	Uruguay

This is how I predict group E-H table after 3 games of the group stages. Germany, Belgium, Brazil, and Portugal will likely to come out as winners of each group. This is how I see these teams in terms of their FIFA ranking, quality of players available, and current form. Then they will likely be followed by Spain, Croatia, Switzerland, and Uruguay respectively in their respective groups.

So by the looks of it, though I am not sure of this - but it will likely be a Brazil vs Germany in the quarterfinals. Into which I am feeling Brazil this time will win against the mighty Germans. By looking at the quality of pool Brazil has and their current team form. In fact, they have never lost a game since 2020 except that Copa America final against Argentina. So this is likely an all South American in the semi-finals. The ball is round and so both teams have chances to win. Brazil is so stacked with Neymar, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo upfront. They look really scary but Argentina on the other hand have stronger mentality as a team.

I am expecting big stars will perform in this match. Lionel Messi & Neymar will prove they are the stars of the team. I just see Argentinian defense is much stronger now considering they all work not only for Argentina but to give Messi what he deserves. Lisandro Martinez, Otamendi, and Christian Romero will likely lead the backline. Paredes & de Paul will handle the midfield, while Messi, Lautaro, and Di Maria will head the attack. I'm not trying to be bias here but for the context of the post, let's assume Argentina will proceed to the next round.

Now this is a little bit of a fairytale run but everyone hopes to see Argentina & Portugal in the Final. This will happen if: 1.) Both of them top the group 2.) Both of them come out as runner-ups in their respective groups or else there's a possibility that these teams will face each other before the final. Honestly, I don't see Portugal progressing the final. It's just a hunch but anything happens in football. The potential teams that will likely progress to the final are Germany, Brazil, France, England, Argentina, & Belgium. They are insanely favored to win. ESPN has been consistently right with their predictions and this time around, they are expecting Argentina to lift up the trophy.

The Finals

I don't know if this will shock you but Argentina will likely face (again) France in the final of 2022 World Cup. They previously met in the knockout stages of FIFA World Cup 2018, where France became victories (4-3). It was an intense match up with Kylian Mbappe netted goals but it was Benjamin Pavard with an amazing volley that sealed the victory.

Again, I was hoping this will be an Argentina vs Portugal finals. A game that everyone would've want to watch as the legends of the game, the greatest of the greatest Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Lionel Messi of Argentina fight it out on what could probably be their last World Cup. Who knows, our dreams will come true.

But reality will hit us, Portugal has been in a very poor form. They will also be missing Jota & Neto, who both have their form from Liverpool and Wolverhampton. To add, recent their results have not been good. They were out of the Nations League and they were lucky to face North Macedonia on the playoff round. If it could've been Italy, I'm seeing even Portugal out of the World Cup.

So going back to the Final against France, I see that the results are unpredictable. As I've mentioned, France Football Federation (FFF) has a huge talent pool. Their squad depth is scary. But despite all of these, they left a huge hole in the midfield. N'golo Kante and Paul Pogba are out of the world cup due to injuries, they are not part of this year's edition. So that will be a possible hole that Argentina can capitalize when they face each other. But having Karim Benzema & Mbappe is enough to scare opponents. We're talking about the current on-form strikers this year and no wonder these two will bag goals for France.

But mind you, Argentina is the one looking very scary right now. The way the team plays, they're not just delivering a trophy for their nation Argentina but they're here for a mission - to give Messi what he deserves - the World Cup. Messi has everything already but the World Cup. He was so close of achieving it in the 2014 edition but Mario Gotze of Germany spoiled the celebration. You can see it in their eyes, they are eyeing for the prize. Maybe God knows, this year is destined for Argentina to lift the trophy - a trophy they missed lifting since Diego Maradona days.