The Argentines were expecting a lot at this World Cup. For example, he was worried that he could face France in the round of 16. Also, the paths of that cowardly rival Germany may cross at some point.

But with that? After losing 2-1 to Saudi Arabia, the two-time world champion is threatened to return home in the second match.

A defeat against Mexico (start at 20:00 today / ZDF live stream) means a safe end. In the event of a draw, progress will no longer be in your hands unless Poland beats the Saudis in the first group match of the day. Also four days after the embarrassment against world number 51. echo the words of captain Lionel Messi:

However, Messi also asked his compatriots to ‘trust us’. It is now important to show that “we are really strong”. They were supposedly strong before the tournament. The Argentines arrived in Qatar with 36 consecutive unbeaten matches and as the reigning South American champions.

Bookmakers have placed him in second place after Brazil among the favorites of the tournament. Fans dreamed of the football god Messi being crowned in the last World Cup. The seven-time world footballer came very close to winning the greatest of all championships once.

However, Argentina also lost the final against Germany in 2014 because it looked too timid. He is fascinated by the pressure of expectations that both he and his country expect to be on par with Diego Armando Maradona by winning the title.

Against the Saudis, Messi returned to his behavior patterns in Argentina’s deadly second half. His shoulders slumped, looking nowhere, his reactions unusually slow. It was definitely an unlucky match for Argentina.

3 goals were disallowed due to offside in the first half. Two Saudi goals came in a row with goals one and two. And then brave kicks from the neighboring country of Qatar saved themselves with redemptive blows.

This is the benevolent reading of defeat: it was a sensation, a slip of the century, caused by the particular psychology of the play. Argentina wants to believe him, but experts around the team find it difficult. They diagnose structural defects.

The team does not appear to be in the best physical condition. Some key players in the winning streak, such as Ángel Di María and Leandro Paredes, have started the tournament off the beaten track due to a recent injury break. Others, like Rodrigo de Paul, are completely shapeless.

Up to five changes in the starting 11 come to mind. It could be Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United) in the midfield and Enzo Fernández (Benfica) in the midfield.

How brave is Lionel Scaloni, the tournament’s youngest coach, in the first crisis of his tenure? But headlines are only of secondary importance to the coach. More impressions: once again everything depends on Messi.

Before the tournament, the 35-year-old football player emphasized that he enjoyed football and the World Cup more than ever before in his old age. Feeling better than ever in the current national team and winning his first major title, the South American Championship with Argentina, saved him from the hundredweight.

Tonight at the Lusail Stadium (20:00 / ZDF live broadcast) Messi has to prove it all. Otherwise it will remain uncrowned forever.