A surprising 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia has left Argentina, who arrived in Doha on a 36-match unbeaten run and as one of many total favourites, in a precarious place.
Lionel Messi. Source: Twitter/@ESPNFC
QATAR – Argentina will search to save their World Cup skins in Qatar on Saturday when Lionel Messi and his teammates face Mexico in a match they can not afford to lose.
A surprising 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia has left Argentina, who arrived in Doha on a 36-match unbeaten run and as one of many total favourites, in a precarious place.
The Argentines mentioned they’ll draw on reminiscences of celebrity Diego Maradona, their 1986 World Cup-winning captain who died two years in the past this week, to encourage them towards the Mexicans.
“We keep him in mind. He was a very important person in world football, and not just for us Argentines,” mentioned Inter Milan ahead Lautaro Martinez.
“Today is a sad day for everyone and hopefully tomorrow we can give happiness.”
The Argentines know they can not afford a repeat of their opening match in Group C.
“It was difficult but we’re a united group, a strong group that knows what we want, we know about our opponents, we’ve already overcome many things,” mentioned Martinez, who twice had a purpose dominated out for offside towards the Saudis.
The stunning Saudis have an opportunity to show they’re no flash within the pan after they face Poland and Robert Lewandowski, the prolific striker who remains to be on the lookout for the primary World Cup purpose of his profession.
The Barcelona ahead missed a penalty within the goalless draw towards Mexico.
In different video games on Saturday, defending champions France may e-book their place within the final 16 in the event that they beat Denmark at Stadium 974, which includes transport containers in its design.
The French misplaced defender Lucas Hernandez to harm of their opening 4-1 win towards Australia, including to a listing of absences headed by Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema who limped out of the World Cup earlier than a ball was kicked.
Australia face one other tough journey towards a sturdy Tunisian aspect.
HOSTS QATAR GO OUT
In Friday’s motion, host nation Qatar crashed out of their very own World Cup following a second straight defeat.
Qatar misplaced 3-1 to Senegal and have become the primary staff to be knocked out of this World Cup after the Netherlands and Ecuador drew 1-1 within the different Group A recreation to seal their destiny.
Asian champions Qatar had excessive hopes coming into the match however grew to become solely the second residence staff to crash out within the group stage, after South Africa in 2010.
Goals from Boulaye Dia, Famara Diedhiou and Bamba Dieng had been sufficient to give African champions Senegal the win.
Mohammed Muntari scored Qatar’s solely World Cup purpose up to now in a deeply disappointing debut on soccer’s largest stage — it’s the first time a World Cup host nation has gone out after simply two video games.
“We would like to say we’re very sorry to the supporters, to the country,” mentioned Qatar defender Tarek Salman.
“We have made them feel bad about losing two games in a row in the World Cup.”
Senegal should now beat Ecuador to advance to the knockout section whereas the Qataris face the Dutch.
An uninspired England missed the prospect to wrap up qualification for the knockout section following a 0-0 draw with the United States.
After thumping Iran 6-2 of their opening match, England hardly ever troubled a well-organised USA unit and had been booed off at full-time.
“A draw isn’t the end of the world for us, it puts us in a great position in the group,” England captain Harry Kane mentioned.
England want solely keep away from a four-goal defeat by neighbours Wales on Tuesday to advance and know a victory will ship them by means of as group winners.
Earlier, Iran scored twice deep into stoppage time to stun Wales 2-0 and breathe new life right into a World Cup marketing campaign overshadowed by mass anti-government protests at residence.
The Iranian gamers sang the nationwide anthem earlier than their win over Wales, having opted to keep silent of their opener in Qatar in an obvious gesture of help for the demonstrators.
They had been worthy winners towards a staff lowered to 10 males late within the match.
Iran, who would have been eradicated if that they had misplaced, punished Gareth Bale’s Wales within the eighth minute of harm time when substitute Rouzbeh Cheshmi smashed residence.
The Iranians despatched their 1000’s of followers wild when Ramin Rezaeian clipped in a second purpose on the counter-attack.
Brazil’s staff camp introduced that celebrity ahead Neymar would miss the aspect’s subsequent recreation towards Switzerland after he suffered ankle ligament injury of their opening 2-0 win towards Serbia.
Neymar is likely to be sidelined for Brazil’s last group recreation towards Cameroon as properly, in accordance to a report from Brazil’s Globo Esporte.