Juls and Gab try to figure out Lionel Messi's plans after the World Cup. There is a time and a place for this. Twenty years have passed since South America hosted the World Cup. Since then, every Brazil campaign has ended when they face European opposition in the knockout rounds. All of Argentina's recent World Cups have ended the same way: shot down by the Europeans. There has been very little football between Europe and South America since the birth of the Nations League. Argentina drew with Germany and Brazil beat the Czech Republic. It is difficult to measure the balance of forces in the build up to the World Cup. Argentina and Brazil are both full of swagger. One of them often has a hard time in South America's qualification, and has to dig themselves out of a hole. Not this time. Confidence is high and the draw may have boosted it. If Australia or the U.A.D. win their playoff, it will make it a South American quintet. The results of the CON MEBOL World Cup.
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BRAZILGroup G opponents include Serbia, Switzerland, and Cameroon.
This group may be tougher than it looks to many Brazilian eyes. The two Europeans were in the same group as Brazil in Russia, while the other met them four years earlier. It would be expected of them to put up more stiff opposition than they did in the past. Brazil are clear favorites. Four years ago they beat Serbia but were held by Switzerland, a team they will not make the mistake ofunderestimating this time around.
Brazil have not been giving up goals. Brazil do not look like they are giving up goals. In the past few months, some attacking options have blossomed: Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, Antony, and Lucas Paqueta. It is no longer about the player but about the tournament, which is important to his legacy. Brazil peaked too soon last time, they were better in the build up than in the tournament. They are a better side than the one that probably would have taken Belgium into extra-time in the quarterfinals. It will take 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884
ARGENTINAGroup C opponents are Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Poland.
Argentina have had some tough draws in the past, but they can have few complaints about this one. Lionel Scaloni's side will be seen as favorites for all three of their group matches. They would appear to be off to a good start against Saudi Arabia. Since the last World Cup, Mexico has been beaten in the World Cup in 2006 and 2010, as well as three times in friendly matches. Argentina would seem to have too much for Poland.
Something is going to have to go badly wrong for Argentina to fail to make it out of this group. The spring is justified. The lineup looks to be the best team in Lionel Messi's career. Messi now gets possession closer to the goal, rather than having to come back and start the moves. The defence has tightened since the emergence of keeper and centre-back. It will be interesting to see how they defend against the best opponents, but anything less than the quarterfinals will be a disappointment, and they have to be seen as one of the candidates to go all the way.
URUGUAYSouth Korea, Portugal, and Ghana are in Group H.
This is a meeting of enemies. Four years ago, Portugal was the reigning European champion, and back in 2010, they beat both South Korea and Ghana on the way to the semifinals. This doesn't give any grounds for being confident. Group H is the best balanced of the eight groups, with all four sides giving realistic chances of a place in the last 16.
There are two reasons why it is hard to predict where they should finish. The group is balanced. Things are likely to be decided on thin margins. There is still some work to be done by the side of the country. What should the veterans do? Diego Godin needs protection. They might be better off without him. How to set up the side is a question that has arisen because Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani can't play up front in every game. Where will the attacking pace come from? If they can answer the questions correctly, there is a chance of another quarterfinals. They could go home early if not.
ECUADORGroup A's other opponents are: France, Netherlands.
When the qualification process began, no one in the country imagined that the team would get to the World Cup in Qatar. The match will have a strong emotional content. No one really knows how the people of Qatar will respond to this kind of stage, and much the same is true of the people of Ecuador, a young side with little experience with this kind of spotlight. The opener looks crucial. Three points would give them the confidence to face two tough opponents. Losing on the first day would be a disaster.
In the second round of the 2006 World Cup, England narrowly beat Ecuador, and they should finish in the same place. It's hard to imagine them going further this year, there are problems in a number of positions. They are fast and strong, with a very interesting generation of emerging talents. Anything that happens in Qatar will help on the road to 2026, when they should be a threat.
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