What does Argentina need to reach the round of 16 in Qatar: can they drop any more points?

Still struggling to digest the defeat against Saudi Arabia at the debut of Qatar 2022. But the national team has revenge. And also the intact chances of reaching the round of 16, despite the fact that this unexpected defeat has generated pressure from the start for what is to come in Group C.

Argentina will play against Mexico on Saturday at 16:00 and the following Wednesday at the same time against Poland. The first thing to say is that today Scaloneta depends on itself: if he wins the two pending matches he will qualifyfirst or second, regardless of what happens in the other two games.

If one wins and the other draws, they could even have a chance to finish second in the group. But if either of them lose, he’ll be back soon. That is why it is obliged to join the confrontation with Mexico.

Here are the possibilities

1) If Argentina beats Mexico and Poland He will reach six points: it can be sooner if Saudi lose one of its two games. It’s not a detail because the first will avoid the winner of the French group, undoubtedly a candidate to win the World Cup.

Two) If you win one game and draw anotherhe will close with four points and then it will depend on what happens in the other two games.

2-A) If they draw with Mexico and then beat Poland: they can serve for goal difference. If so, it could even finish earlier, because all four teams could end up with the same number of units.

2-B) If they beat Mexico and then draw with Poland. They take first place with four points on goal difference if Poland and Saudi Arabia draw in the second round and then Mexico defeat Saudi Arabia. Second is ranked if Poland equals Saudi Arabia and in the last date Saudi Arabia equals Mexico.

3) If it wins one and loses another, in any order, it will be eliminated. The unusual thing is that if they tie the two games, there will be a chance: Saudi Arabia defeat both Poland and Mexico and then be defined by goal difference.

We recall: in Russia 2018 the team led by Jorge Sampaoli qualified for the round of 16 with four points, but that same harvest did not help Marcelo Bielsa’s team in Korea/Japan 2002, a tournament in which the team said goodbye in the first round, postponed for England and Sweden.

The general average of the first in the last six world championships is 7.38. And of the seconds, 5.

From world to world

Average points of the first of the zones

France 1998: 7

Korea Japan 2002: 7.25

Germany 2006: 8

South Africa 2010: 6.75

Brazil 2014: 8

Russia 2018: 7.25

Average points of the runners-up in the groups in the last World Cup

France 1998: 5.13

Korea Japan 2002: 4.5

Germany 2006: 5.38

South Africa 2010: 4.75

Brazil 2014: 5.13

Russia 2018: 5.13