DOHA: Argentina face a battle to remain alive on the World Cup on Saturday, with Lionel Messi and his teammates getting ready to tackle Mexico in a match they can not afford to lose.
Within the early kick-off in Qatar, Australia beat Tunisia 1-0, recovering from a chastening opening defeat towards defending champions France to maintain their hopes alive.
Two-time world champions Argentina, who arrived in Qatar on a 36-match unbeaten run, are in a precarious place after a shocking 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia.
The Argentines mentioned they’d draw on recollections 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 preserve him in thoughts. He was an important particular person in world soccer, and never only for us Argentines,” mentioned Inter Milan ahead Lautaro Martinez. “At present is a tragic day for everybody and hopefully tomorrow we can provide happiness.”
The stunning Saudis have an opportunity to show they’re no flash within the pan once they face Poland and Robert Lewandowski, the prolific striker who continues to be in search of the primary World Cup aim of his profession.
The Barcelona ahead missed a penalty within the goalless draw towards Mexico in Group C.
Australia, who have been overwhelmed 4-1 by France, received a World Cup sport for under the third time of their historical past on the Al Janoub Stadium.
Striker Mitch Duke scored the one aim of a good sport with a intelligent header within the first half and Australia desperately held on to silence Tunisia’s vociferous followers. The Socceroos sit second in Group D with three factors from two video games, with a sport to return towards Denmark.
“As a striker you’ll want to have that confidence and consider that you may rating in each match,” mentioned Japan-based centre-forward Duke, 31. “I truly was messaging a few of my household saying that I used to be going to attain in the present day.”
– France eye knockouts –
Defending champions France might ebook 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 damage of their opening 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.
However France coach Didier Deschamps mentioned defender Raphael Varane was able to return after greater than a month out with a leg damage. Veteran ahead Olivier Giroud wants only one extra aim to turn out to be France’s all-time prime goalscorer.
Belgium star Eden Hazard admitted the nation’s much-vaunted “Golden Era” have been previous their greatest on the eve of his group’s match towards Morocco. Belgium, who completed third on the match in Russia in 2018, are nonetheless ranked second on the planet however lots of the aspect at the moment are of their 30s.
“To be honest I believe we had a greater likelihood to win 4 years go,” admitted 31-year-old Hazard.
“The group was higher 4 years in the past however nonetheless we’ve the standard to win video games and to win the competitors. Now we have a number of guys, they’re a bit older now however we’ve expertise and the most effective goalkeeper on the planet (Thibaut Courtois).”
On Friday, host nation Qatar crashed out of their very own World Cup. They misplaced 3-1 to Senegal whereas Netherlands and Ecuador drew 1-1 within the different Group A sport.
An uninspired England, who received their opening match towards Iran 6-2, missed the possibility to wrap up qualification for the knockout part following a 0-0 draw with america.
Brazil’s celebrity ahead Neymar might miss his group’s ultimate two group video games after struggling ankle ligament injury within the group’s opening 2-0 win towards Serbia.