Ecuador-Argentina: Believe in Messi and his teammates' ability to overcome difficulties

(Baonghean.vn) - Whether Messi and his teammates can participate in Russia next summer or not depends entirely on the result of the match taking place in Quito (Ecuador) at 6:30 a.m. on October 11 (Vietnam time).

It has been 47 years since the whole country of Argentina was plunged into mourning after witnessing the team's failure to qualify for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. That humiliation and bitterness is still deeply imprinted in the minds of many fans of the "Land of Tango".

For 11 consecutive times (1974 - 2014), Albicelestes has always been present at the biggest football festival on the planet, despite the times when the blue and white striped team encountered huge difficulties that seemed impossible to overcome.

In the 1994 World Cup qualifiers in South America, Argentina was the reigning Copa America champion (1991, 1993) and the reigning World Cup runner-up in 1990, with a squad of world football superstars such as Simeone, Canniggia, Batistuta, Ortega, Balbo, Sensini... (Maradona was not present), but had to struggle to get a ticket to the United States.

The 0-5 loss to Colombia in September 1993 was not only Argentina's heaviest defeat at home but also forced them to play a play-off match with Australia (representing Oceania).

Argentina's 0-5 loss to Colombia in September 1993. Photo: Internet

The poor performance of coach Basile and his team made the whole country of Argentina seethe with anger. Fortunately, the Australian opponents were only average, so the "Tango dancers" overcame them with a total score of 2 - 1 after 2 matches (1 - 0 and 1 - 1).

The escape of Simeone and his teammates saved the honor of all Argentine football.The spirit of the team that won the championship twice (1978, 1986) was brought into play at the right time. That was not the last time, Tango fans "lived in fear".

Once again, Albicelestes fell into a miserable situation in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. Argentina almost had to stay home and watch 32 talented players compete in South Africa on the small screen.

Under the leadership of the legendary Maradona, Argentina played extremely disappointingly. The reason for that series of bad results was coach Maradona. The "golden boy"'s weakness in expertise and conflict with conductor Riquelme pushed Argentina into a "thousand pounds hanging by a thread".

Before the final round took place, Albicelestes was in 5th place on the rankings with 25 points, 1 and 2 points more than the 2 teams right behind, Uruguay and Ecuador, respectively.

It is worth mentioning that in the final match of the qualifying round that year, Argentina had to play away against their direct rival Uruguay. If Argentina had lost to their direct opponent and the 6th-placed team - Ecuador had beaten Chile (who had already won the ticket), then coach Maradona and his team would have definitely missed the 2010 World Cup.

Argentina players celebrate after their 1-0 victory over Uruguay. Photo: Internet

As the Maradona-led team marched to Montevideo, Argentina fans could only pray and prepare themselves for a disaster in Uruguay. However, no disaster happened. Bolatti's only goal in the 85th minute sent Argentina straight to South Africa in the summer of 2010.

What is happening to Argentina at the moment has many similarities with the 1994 and 2010 World Cup qualifiers. The mission of Messi and his teammates in the upcoming away match in Ecuador is nothing other than victory.

If they defeat Ecuador, 100% of coach Sampaoli and his team will at least get a ticket to the play-off match with New Zealand. The balance of power between Argentina and the "Kiwi" team, of course, has a huge difference. It is unlikely that Argentina will fall to New Zealand.

Messi will help Albicelestes win a ticket to Russia next summer. Photo: Internet

Not to mention that in the case that Argentina wins, Colombia wins or draws with Peru, and Chile loses or draws with Brazil, the Albicelestes will definitely go straight to Russia. Objectively speaking, the above hypotheses can all happen at the same time.

In short, the chance to qualify for the 2018 World Cup is still in the hands of coach Sampaoli and his team. Despite the poor form of Messi and his teammates, Quito is a difficult place to go (altitude is nearly 2850 m above sea level) and Argentina has not won here since 2000.

Ecuador is going through a very disappointing series of matches (losing 5 consecutive matches) and no longer has the chance to participate in Russia next summer, even though they really want to, they will find it difficult to resist the fierce attack of coach Sampaoli and his team. Simply put, Argentina owns the best player in the world - Leo Messi. Believe me, La Pulga will bring Argentina to the 2018 World Cup finals./.

Thanh Hung