What Messi and Argentina need to make the World Cup in Russia in 2018

October 6, 2017 at 09:26

- The draw with Peru has left Sampaoli's team in a difficult position
- Next week they play Ecuador in the final round of qualifiers

Lionel Messi's Argentina are facing the very real prospect of missing out on the World Cup next summer. The draw against Peru at the Bombonera leaves them in sixth place, which would see them eliminated. Fifth place earns a playoff spot and the top four nations qualify automatically.

Here are all the scenarios going into next week's vital game against Ecuador:

BEAT ECUADOR:

- Argentina guaranteed playoff spot
- Qualify directly if there's a draw in the Peru - Colombia and Chile lose to Brazil
- Playoff spot if Chile beat Brasil and Colombia beat Peru
- Playoff spot if Peru win by the same scoreline as Argentina against Ecuador

DRAW WITH ECUADOR

In this scenario, it depends on three matches.

- Will qualify if Colombia beat Peru, Chile lose by two or more goals to Brazil and Paraguay don't beat Venezeula
- Will qualify if Perubeat Colombia by two or more goals, Chile lose by two or more goals to Brazil and Paraguay fail to beat Venezuela.
- In the playoff if Colombia beat Peru and Paraguay draw with Venezuela
- In the playoff if Peru beat Colombia, Chile lose by two or more against Brazil and Paraguay don't beat Venezuela
- In the playoff if Colombia beat Peru, Chile lost by two or more goals to Brazil
- In the playoff if Peru draw with Colombia, Chile lose by two or more goals to Brazil and Venezuela don't win
- In the playoff if Peru lose to Colombia by two or more goals and Chile lose to Brazil by the same difference.