Argentina’s great escape: Anything can happen now

In what was a tumultuous World Cup for Argentina, the team now has to pick up the pieces and look to the round of 16. Here’s what they need to do next.

Javier Mascherano’s bloodied left eyebrow and cheek said it all. The pain and suffering of an entire team and country was right there on his face.

Then there was Gonzalo Higuain’s scoring attempt in the 80th minute that he rocketed over the bar. His pained expression another way to describe the mood.

A desperate Argentina endured a tough game in St. Petersburg against Nigeria on Tuesday and it took a goal in the 86th minute by the unheralded Marcos Rojo that was the highlight of the night for this never-say-die team.

In a World Cup that was supposed to be Lionel Messi’s coronation had suddenly turned sour from its start. What it became was a team battered and bruised, pushed to to the brink of elimination going into Group D’s final matchday. Indeed, this was, and remains, Messi’s chance to cement his name as the best ever and the opportunity to eclipse the legendary Diego Maradona.

Instead, it had temporarily turned into a debacle as manager Jorge Sampaoli was on the hot seat following the team’s humiliating defeat to Croatia. A player mutiny that engulfed the team in the days following that 3-0 loss dominated the headlines as the team prepped for Tuesday’s game.

Despite that, Argentina still had a lifeline entering its third and final group stage match against Nigeria. A win (and a little help from Croatia in its game against Iceland) and La Albiceleste would be through to the knockout stage. This was the backdrop going into Tuesday’s match in St. Petersburg.

With Messi playing alongside Gonzalo Higuain up top and Angel Di Maria on the wing as part of a starting lineup with five changes compared to the Croatia match, Argentina was banking on offense. It got that for much of the first half. It was a moment of magic after 14 minutes that led to Messi’s goal and an early lead. It was the moment many had been waiting for, sending the crowd at St. Petersburg Stadium into a frenzy. Argentina fans rejoiced, as did Messi fans around the world.

It was a short-lived celebration. This, after all, has been a team of letdowns. Nigeria tied the score in the second half and looked the better side for long stretches. After losing the 2014 World Cup final and the 2015 Copa America and 2016 Copa America Centenario, both to Chile, this is a team that was on life support throughout qualifying and over the past few months in the lead up to this tournament.

Despite Messi’s greatness, those were teams most remembered for Higuain’s inability to put the ball in the back of the net, much like he did against Nigeria. In other words, there were cracks all over this team.

What’s next for Argentina? Anything can happen at this point, as the group stage revealed, and now the two-time World Cup champions have to think about how to tackle their next opponent. This team has proven that anything can happen.

Maybe this is a team that needed to have its back to the wall to achieve success. Like Germany a few days ago, this is a team that was determined to win. They chased after every ball, ran up and down the wings and looked aggressive in the final third. The defense still made the occasional mistake (too many errant passes and fouling in the box) and goalkeeper Franco Armani, earning his first cap, wasn’t always sharp. Nevertheless, this was a side that was much-improved from its first two games. Argentina finally showed the hustle that was missing at the start of this competition.

Argentina now have a date with France on Saturday in the round of 16. While the French won Group C, it is a team that has yet to convince. They don’t look like a team that can win the World Cup, especially after Tuesday’s 0-0 draw against Denmark. Argentina may very well defeat this lackluster France side, which has yet to put together a decent 90 minutes. Argentina hasn’t really done so either, but looked much improved against Nigeria. They now have momentum on their side.

The knockout stage of a World Cup is often a new tournament. Single elimination brings out the best in teams. Penalty kicks often crown teams that don’t deserve to get through. Anything can happen.

Next: Deschamps must embrace France’s attacking riches

Amid the dysfunction, Argentina could land as far as the quarterfinals. From the brink of elimination to title contender in a span of a few days. Crazier things have happened at a World Cup. For now, Messi’s dream of winning the trophy remains alive. An entire country can still dream of winning the World Cup. All the turmoil, stress and chaos has to be put behind them. Anything can happen with this team.