Argentina-Australia and Netherlands – United States: the first two round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar pit two title candidates once morest outsiders, and Lionel Messi enters the final stretch of his quest for the last title missing from his huge track record.
The Argentinians, double world champions (1978, 1986) and the Dutch, three times finalists but never crowned (1974, 1978, 2010), will start as favorites, but this World Cup has already reserved enough surprises for their opponents to dream of Exploits.
Lionel Messi and his teammates, above all, were entitled to a harsh warning without charge when they entered the fray, with a stunning defeat once morest Saudi Arabia (2-1). The Albiceleste then regained their senses – and their football – dominating Mexico and Poland each time with a score of 2-0.
The ambitious Netherlands
Argentina was well inspired, since the 1st place in the group saved them from falling from the 8s on France. But coach Lionel Scaloni is looking to lower the pressure around his selection: “We are candidates for nothing, we are favorites for nothing“, he dropped following the last group match.
The tone is braver among the “Oranje”. “I’m here to be world champion“, hammered coach Louis van Gaal, a strong personality who dreams of finally offering the country of Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten this trophy which has always eluded him.
afp/btro
1000th official game for Messi
Lionel Messi will play his 1000th official match once morest Australia in the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar. The Argentine superstar has played 168 with his national team before Saturday.
Author of 93 goals in the Albiceste jersey, Lionel Messi (35 years old, 778 matches with FC Barcelona) has so far participated in 22 matches in the final phase of a World Cup. However, he never found the fault in the knockout phase, his 8 goals having all been scored in the group stage.
Quarter-finals, the table
VE 09.12 (16h00): Winner 8th 5 – Winner 8th 6
Fri 09.12 (20h00): Winner 8th 1 – Winner 8th 2
AT 10.12 (16h00): Winner 8th 7 – Winner 8th 8
AT 10.12 (20h00): Winner 8th 3 – Winner 8th 4
