To progress, Lionel Messi and Argentina should overcome Poland, the one undefeated group within the group, who can topple the pool by overturning the Albiceleste. In his shadow, Saudi Arabia might be hoping to make historical past by defeating Mexico, which would require a divine intervention to outlive the event.
It can be a daring one to foretell that in a bunch that includes South and North American giants alongside a European middleweight, the Saudis would be the most entertaining and adventurous aspect.
Hervé Renard’s males have proven an enormous urge for food for threat: thrilling spectators with their ridiculously excessive protection line, teasing and luring their opponents to cross it, snatching possession after which hitting them on the counter.
If Argentina had scored the precise runs, the state of affairs would have been very completely different at this time. However, regardless of the disallowed targets and the fixed risk of Messi repeatedly, Saudi caught to their plan and they need to be given credit score for that.
Renard had coached his protection nicely and his ahead line put fixed stress on Argentina, suffocating them on a moist Doha afternoon. Not many groups would have dared to do that in opposition to title contenders, and on some other day, it might have gone in opposition to them, because it did in opposition to Poland, the place the Saudis loved extra possession, created higher possibilities and Had extra pictures heading in the right direction however nonetheless ended up on the shedding aspect.
Still, his excessive press mixed with direct assaults made him a pleasure to look at. After all, it ought to come as no shock that they’ve been so courageous. During their qualifying marketing campaign, Saudi performed in the identical manner. Perhaps, their good efficiency within the qualifiers acquired misplaced within the poor build-up to the World Cup.
Now, it stays to be seen whether or not they can work their magic one final time within the group stage after they want it probably the most. Will there be sufficient fuel left within the tank after being dropped on the sphere within the first two matches? (learn extra)
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
