Argentina World Cup Scenarios: How it Can Qualify for Knockout Stage
After a huge 3-0 loss to Croatia on Thursday, Argentina is in danger of being eliminated from the World Cup.
The team received some help on Friday, when Nigeria defeated Iceland 2-0 to move into second place in Group D. Croatia is already through, but that second spot is up for grabs going into the final matchday.
In their final games, Argentina will face Nigeria, while Iceland will take on Croatia in a pair of simultaneous matches.
Despite having a single point and a -3 goal differential after two matches, Argentina can advance with the following scenarios after the Nigeria–Iceland result:
• If Iceland beats Croatia: Argentina would need to beat Nigeria and take the tiebreaker edge over Iceland. With Iceland at -2 goal differential and Argentina at -3, it would require Argentina winning by at least one more goal than Iceland does. If it's by one goal exactly, and their goal differential is even, then Argentina would have score more goals in its win than Iceland does in its win to seize the goals scored tiebreaker, which is next in line after GD.
• If Iceland and Croatia draw or Iceland loses to Croatia: Argentina would be in with a win vs. Nigeria, regardless of the score.
