*Updated on 10/31/22 at 21:50
Group C (Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Poland) will be interesting as two of the teams have a number of players who will most likely be playing in their last World Cup. On the Argentine team, you have Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria, who are looking to finally win it all after coming so close back in 2014 but ultimately losing 0-1 to Germany. On the Mexican team, you have Guillermo Ochoa and Andres Guardado who have led their team to countless CONCACAF Gold Cup wins but never made it past the Round of 16 in the World Cup.
Mexico and Argentina also have a long-standing rivalry with each other, and this time around will be no exception. Argentina will be looking to play a slow and controlled game while being rough and using their relative height advantage, although both teams have shorter players relative to other cup participants. Mexico will be looking to play their usual fast-paced style of play. The match will most likely involve slightly dirtier play than normal, as both teams tend to foul more when playing rivals, and the winner is likely to be whoever scores first.
Group C and players to watch:
- Argentina ranked 3rd
- Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
- Angel Di Maria (Juventus) *questionable whether he will be fit in time
- Saudi Arabia ranked 51st
- Salman Al-Faraj (Al-Hilal)
- Salem Al-Dawsari (Al-Hilal)
- Mexico ranked 13th
- Guillermo Ochoa (América)
- Andres Guardado (Real Betis)
- Raul Jimenez (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
- Hirving (Chucky) Lozano (Napoli)
- Poland ranked 26th
- Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
- Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus)
- Kamil Grosicki (Pogoń Szczecin)
Argentina is the clear favorite to make it out of the group. This is probably going to be the last World Cup that Lionel Messi plays, which is what makes this cup all the more important for Argentina as they try to lift Messi into the same category as Pele and Maradona. I think Argentina will only go as far as Messi takes them. Dybala and Di Maria, to name a few, are all class players, but the coach has made it clear that the team is there to support Messi.
Mexico is the favorite to make it out of the group in second place. Making it to the Round of 16 four years ago, they look to go further in the tournament this time around. They have a number of players who are now at the age where they will most likely retire from international play after this cup. Guillermo Ochoa, as well as Andres Guardado, have been mentors on the team for 17 years now and are looking to end their careers with a high.
Poland has the best chance to sneak out if Mexico or Argentina slip up. Although they are not thought of as a threat, Poland has stars in key positions, and with enough physicality in their game, will make it tough for anyone who goes against them. Lewandowski is one of the best players in the world, winning FIFA’s ‘The Best’ award in 2020 and 2021. He is the heart of the Polish squad. I think if he is able to hit midseason form by the time the cup starts, Poland will have a shot at making it out of the group.
Saudi Arabia has its work cut out for them. The last time they made it out of the group and onto the Round of 16 was back in 1994. I think the best chance Saudi Arabia has, is if they can upset Poland and hope that Mexico is in a drought when the two play each other.
Check out the next article on futbolhijo.com for Group D’s breakdown and analysis.
Photo: World Cup football championship 2022 vector, Shutterstock, by Photoroyalty, ID: 2142444821
One comment