The last matchday of a group is always a tense affair as sides look to fire one last salvo in a bid to qualify for the nest round. Wednesday showcases matches from Group E and F with only respective group leaders France and Argentina assured off passage to the next stage of the completion. The Hard Tackle takes a look at the key talking points of both the groups.
1. Nigeria look to end their Argentina Voodoo
Nigeria are playing their 5th World Cup tournament and Wednesdayai??i??s clash against Argentina will be their 4th on the world stage. Barring the 1998 event in France, Nigeria have been paired with Argentina in the group stages in the other four and they have lost out to South American side on all previous meetings. Their last two defeats to Argentina have been by 1 goal to nil, both coming on the opening day of the group stage with Nigeria failing to qualify for the next round on both occasions.
Currently sitting second, The Super Eagles have a 3 point lead over Iran with a goal difference of +1. Despite winning their 2 games and sitting top of the table, Argentina have looked far from comfortable and have managed to only scrape past Bosnia and Iran in both games. Nigeria couldnai??i??t have asked for a better time to end their Argentinean voodoo and register their first win against them,which on this occasion, will ensure their qualification to the next round. Of course a draw will be good enough for the Super Eagles as well.
2. Swiss look to live up to their name tag
Tagged a hipsterai??i??s team before the tournament began, the Swiss boasted a side that could cause upsets to the tournamentai??i??s traditional giants. Boasting names such as Bayernai??i??s Shaqiri, Napoliai??i??s central midfield trio of Inler, DA?emaili and Behrami and young stars in Xhaka, DrmiAi?? and RodrAi??guez under the guidance of Ottmar Hitzfeld in his swansong tournament, the Swiss have certainly been a popular choice of a second favourite team.
They did indeed start the tournament in dramatic fashion. A goal down against Ecuador and looking out of depths, Ottmar Hitzfeldai??i??s side rallied back and a goal in the dying embers of the game ensured all 3points. But a 5-2 drubbing in the hands of France in the next game and Ecuadorai??i??s win over Honduras has put them in a precarious position. They should not have any issues in disposing Honduras, but they would certainly hope France does them a favour by not taking Ecuador lightly.
3. Will Team Argentina register their first win?
An own goal and a goal from Messi and another late Messi goal has been Argentinaai??i??s story in the current World cup so far. Defensively they have been hardly convincing and if either Bosnia or Iranai??i??s finishing was any better, the South American side would not have been in the position they currently find themselves in. Aside from Messiai??i??s brilliance, Team Argentina have failed to show up in this world cup. With qualification to the next round already confirmed, and a possibility of the star man being rested, will team Argentina register a win against a resilient Nigerian side?
4. Will the French change a winning formula?
3-0 and 5-2- France have started with a bang and have hardly looked like the disastrous French side of last world cup. Their attack in the absence of Frank Ribery has been top notch and that has been well complemented by a very good midfield and defensive performance. With progress already ensured, head coach Deschamps will be quite happy to rest his star men. Cabaye has already picked up 2 yellows while Pogba and Evra are on one each. Avoiding more yellows to his key men and injuries will be the key issue on his mind, but will tinkering with the winning eleven be a good idea ?
5. Can plucky Ecuador qualify?
Ecuador were undone by a last grasp goal by Switzerland in their first game and they showed plenty of grit and courage to earn a valuable win over Honduras on matchday 2. Their world cup campaign now hangs in a balance with a must win game against the form side of the group, France. They currently sit 2nd, with 3 points and a better goal difference to the Swiss. Like all South American nations, they definitely bring in the entertainment value to the pitch, but beating France is going to take a lot more than that.
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