Here’s how Argentina can still make the Round of 16
A day after drawing Scotland 3-3 in epic VAR fashion, Argentina will spend the day hoping two more draws help them clinch a spot in the round of 16.
After pulling off a miracle 3-3 draw that eliminated Scotland, Argentina are still alive at this Women’s World Cup and will need a combination of results to go their way in order to reach the round of 16.
It would be the first time in Argentina’s history that they would progress past the group stage.
How did we get here? Argentina pulled off a dramatic comeback on Wednesday in Paris, scoring three late goals against Scotland.
A word on #ARG. You may not have liked their tactics at times during the game, but what they have achieved at the #FIFAWWC after essentially being ignored/demeaned at home is remarkable. Suspect they rise quickly with funding/AFA attention. In a few yrs, they won’t be outsiders.
— Derek Rae (@RaeComm) June 20, 2019
That third goal came courtesy of some confusion following two VAR decisions to a stunned crowd at the Parc des Princes. After a lengthy video review, North Korean referee Ri Hyang-ok awarded Argentina a penalty kick. Scotland’s Lee Alexander dived to stop Florencia Bonsegundo’s kick, who could not score off the rebound.
The save triggered another VAR review, similar to two previous times at this tournament, and another review showed Alexander came off her line before the kick. On the second attempt deep into stoppage time, Bonsegundo scored after placing the ball past Alexander.
“I’m gutted for the players, gutted for the support, but the officiating was really, really poor,” said Scotland manager Shelley Kerr after the game. “For 70 minutes we played well. The bottom line is we have conceded three goals but the first goal is from a free-kick; that changes the whole complexion of the game.”
Two of Thursday’s four games hold lots of tie-breaker implications for Argentina, who will have to spend the day in front of the TV. Argentina have two points, a result of two draws.
Here’s the scenario Argentina has to hope for: both Cameroon-New Zealand and Chile-Thailand have to end in draws. Cameroon and New Zealand both have zero points in Group E, as do Chile and Thailand in Group F.
In Group E, Canada and the Netherlands are already through to the round of 16. Cameroon and New Zealand both need a win to become among the four third-place teams with the best records.
Over in Group F, the USWNT and Sweden play each other, although both are also already through to the knockout round. Thailand has a massive goal differential of minus-18. In that sense, Chile is favored to win. If that happens, the Chileans would knock fellow South American side Argentina out of the tournament.
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As for the USWNT, a win and the Americans would face Spain and be put on a collision course to face host nation France in the quarterfinals.
There are several permutations to consider here as well. Should the U.S. lose to Sweden, then the Americans would play either Canada or the Netherlands on the opposite side of the bracket. That would mean only facing France in the final on July 7th should both teams go that far at this tournament.