What results does Argentina need to qualify for the round of 16 of the Qatar 2022 World Cup?

the victory of Argentina 2-0 on Saturday against Mexico completely changed the panorama of Group C, leaving the albiceleste with four scenarios, out of nine possible to qualify, and another that would depend on the goal difference with Mexico, to which only a combination of results, winning and Argentina losing to Poland, puts them in the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar without depending on anyone.

In the other two scenarios that could be worth it, the team led by Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino would have to go to the tiebreaker due to goal difference, needing, at least, to beat Saudi Arabia 3-0 on the last day that the Wednesday, in case Argentina also wins its match.

Low chances, especially considering that Mexico has not yet scored a goal in the World Cup, after losing to Argentina, which saw the light with its 2-0.

In the case of the team led by Leo Messi, it has four scenarios in which it would go into the round of 16 without depending on anyone. Two of them -winning and Mexico doing the same or winning and Mexico tying- would make him pass as first; and it would be second if both American teams tie, as Group C remains as it is after two days.

In the other case, if they win and Mexico lose to Saudi Arabia, their place in the round of 16 will depend on the goal difference with the Saudis, which is currently +2. Argentina has three goals for and two against (+1) and Herve Renard’s team, with one goal for and two against (-1).

The latter scenario has Argentina and Mexico depending on each other, albeit with the Albiceleste having the upper hand. If Messi’s men draw against Lewandowski and company, Mexico would need to beat Saudi Arabia by an income of more than three goals to snatch second place.

Remember that the tie-break criteria established by FIFA for the World Cup in Qatar are applied, in this order: the goal difference, the goals scored, the direct confrontation in case there are two teams involved, the greatest goal difference in the matches group games played between the teams in question, goals scored against each other and, if this persists, they will look at the sportsmanship criteria.

In these, a yellow is equivalent to a negative point, a red for double yellow adds three; a direct expulsion four; receive yellow card and then direct red, five.

WHAT RESULTS DOES ARGENTINA NEED TO CLASSIFY TO THE EIGHTH?

• IF ARGENTINA AND MEXICO WIN: Argentina passes as first group. To be second, Mexico should play the goal difference it has with Poland, which is currently +2 for the Poles and -2 for the Mexicans.
• IF ARGENTINA WINS AND MEXICO DRAWS: Argentina passes as first group. Mexico would be eliminated.
• IF ARGENTINA WINS AND MEXICO LOSES: Argentina would advance to the round of 16, with position dependent on goal difference against Saudi Arabia. Currently it is +1 for the albiceleste and -1 for Saudis. Mexico would be eliminated
• IF ARGENTINA DIES AND MEXICO WINS: Argentina would pass as second in the group, with Poland first, as long as Mexico does not win by more than four goals difference to Saudi Arabia.
• IF ARGENTINA AND MEXICO TIE: Argentina would go through as second in the group, due to the goal difference with respect to Saudi Arabia, which would be third, and Mexico would be eliminated.
• IF ARGENTINA TIES AND MEXICO LOSES: Both teams would be eliminated from the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
• IF ARGENTINA LOSES AND MEXICO WINS: Argentina would be eliminated. Mexico would qualify as second in Group C.
• IF ARGENTINA LOSES AND MEXICO TIES: Both teams would be eliminated from the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
• IF ARGENTINA AND MEXICO LOSE: Both teams would be eliminated from the Qatar 2022 World Cup.