3 reasons why the World Cup wouldn’t be the same without Argentina

Argentina simply need to qualify

Ever had a nightmare in which you’re watching the World Cup but the dizzying, dazzling skill of Argentina’s world-class players is absent? Did you wake up in a cold sweat, screaming Victor Hugo Morales’ immortal commentary of Diego Maradona’s goal of the century?

Yeah, me too, but now that nightmare has a very real chance of becoming our grim reality, dear reader, and there is nothing you or I can do about it. The responsibility lies with Lionel Messi and his international teammates, who need a win in Ecuador on October 10^th if they want to make it to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

After a gruelling 0-0 draw at home to Peru in their penultimate game La Albiceleste sit sixth in the South America qualification table. Only four nations qualify automatically however, and the fifth place side will face New Zealand in a two-leg playoff tie to make it to Russia.

A win in Ecuador will do it for the two-time World Cup winners, but Jorge Sampaoli’s men have only managed six wins in their 17 games throughout qualification. There is a definite chance that 2018 could be the fifth World Cup in footballing history without Argentinian representation, and here are three reasons why it just wouldn’t be the same without them: