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World Cup 2018 power rankings

By James Dudko

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Per Mertesacker of Germany holds the trophy a loft during the 2014 World Cup final match between Germany and Argentina at The Maracana Stadium on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Per Mertesacker of Germany holds the trophy a loft during the 2014 World Cup final match between Germany and Argentina at The Maracana Stadium on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /
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Argentina’s Lionel Messi takes a penalty to score against Haiti during their international friendly football match at Boca Juniors’ stadium La Bombonera in Buenos Aires, on May 29, 2018. (Photo by Juan MABROMATA / AFP) (Photo credit should read JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi takes a penalty to score against Haiti during their international friendly football match at Boca Juniors’ stadium La Bombonera in Buenos Aires, on May 29, 2018. (Photo by Juan MABROMATA / AFP) (Photo credit should read JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images) /

4. Argentina

Beaten finalists in 2014, Argentina are better-equipped to go one further this time. Like Belgium, La Albiceleste‘s chances have been increased by the arrival of a coach with an attacking mindset.

Jorge Sampaoli used to a bold philosophy based on intense pressing and slick combinations of passes between the lines to turn Chile into a force. He has superior talent to work with in his homeland, especially in the attacking third.

Lionel Messi is good enough to win this tournament by himself. He nearly managed the feat four years ago.

Sampaoli may ensure Messi is better supported thanks to the emergence of rising star Cristian Pavon. Juventus forward Paulo Dybala and natural No. 9s Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero give La Albiceleste the strongest goalscoring lineup in the competition.

They should get more chances if Sampaoli’s relentless press works. Winning the ball high will mean Angel di Maria and Manuel Lanzini have more opportunities to thread passes through for Messi and his partners.

If a defense led by Nicolas Otamendi does its bit, Argentina will be in the final reckoning again.

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