World Cup Group C Analysis: Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski Last Dances Plus Guillermo Ochoa’s Tournament

• Argentina's steady improvement under Lionel Scaloni has projected hope that Qatar 2022 might be Lionel Messi's year
• The 2014 finalists have built a strong team that ticks all the boxes, but will face decent opposition from Robert Lewandowski's Poland
• Perennial dark horses Mexico will also look to break their fourth-game curse as Saudi Arabia test the waters with football royalty

Will this be the year that the stars finally align for Lionel Messi? The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner will lead out his Argentina side in Qatar, hoping against hope that he will be able to go one step better than in 2014.

But before he can even dream of the knockout stages, Argentina must fend off challenges from Robert Lewandowski's inspired Poland, the return of Guillermo Ochoa, and Herve Renard - a serial winner on African soil.

Sports Brief takes a look at all 8 groups, their star attractions, weakness and strongholds as Qatar gets ready to rumble. You can read Group A's analysis here and Group B's here.

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Poland

• Star player: Robert Lewandowski
• Rising star: Piotr Zielinski
• Coach: Czeslaw Michniewicz
• Sports Brief's predicted finish: Round of 16
• FIFA Ranking: 26

Poland have surprisingly never gotten out of their World Cup groups since 1998. They did not make it altogether for the 2010 and 2014 editions but made a return in 2018, where despite having a peak Lewandowski, they fumbled again.

It is a team with talents all over the pitch and the round of 16 will be an ideal target for them. Scoring goals has never been a problem for Poland, but much of the burden still lies on Lewandowski, who remains a proven goal-poacher despite Barcelona's woes in Europe.

But Lewandowski, for all his success and multiple Golden Shoes, has never scored at a World Cup.

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The good news is Lewandowski will have support from other quarters in the form of Piotr Zielinski, who is part of the devastating Napoli side that has taken the world by storm this season.

Arkadiusz Milik has also popped up with important goals for Juventus' hot and cold season, while Sebastian Szymański is having a wonderful season at Feyenoord.

Michniewicz, who has been at the helm since January, works with a 4-2-3-1 formation which thrives on Matty Cash's athleticism. His energy down the wing and delivery might be a real game-changer in Poland's fortunes.

However, they might revert to a three-man defence depending on the opponent's strength. His side are not good in possession and are often comfortable without their ball, biding their time.

Poland's best bet will be to try and get maximum points from Saudi Arabia and Mexico before the November 30 showdown against Lionel Messi's Argentina.

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Possible XI: Szczęsny, Bednarek, Gilk, Kiwior, Cash, Zalewski, Szymanski, Krychowiak, Zielinski, Milik, Lewandowski

Argentina

• Star player: Lionel Messi
• Rising star: Julian Alvarez
• Coach: Lionel Scaloni
• Sports Brief's predicted finish: Winners
• FIFA Ranking: 3

Lionel Scaloni's side need to qualify from their group to break Roberto Mancini's record of 37 matches unbeaten he set with Italy. But there will be bigger fish to fry; to win the World Cup for Lionel Messi.

Rodrigo De Paul and Lisandro Martinez are on record saying that they will go to war for the PSG forward.

After countless attempts, Messi finally laid his hands on an international trophy with the Copa America triumph in 2021. He then followed it up with the Finalissima win this year against Italy, with an all-around slick performance from the Albiceleste.

Perhaps this is the year. Look - in terms of star names - the current squad doesn't compare with the previous teams, but there is some balance in the team, with all the players having clear roles.

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Scaloni has created a team that is in sync, a squad whose greatest strength is its collectiveness.

Their 2018 shambolic performance under Jorge Sampaoli was down to a lack of a reliable goalkeeper, among other things. Emiliano Martinez has come in to steady the ship and has a reliable number two in Geronimo Rulli to boost.

Scaloni will be spoilt for voices in his central defence. Veteran Nicolas Otamendi looks like a sure starter, leaving Lisandro Martinez and Christian Romero to battle out for the remaining spot. Forget the banter about the former's height, he has been splendid for Erik ten Hag.

Giovanni Lo Celso will be a big miss and it remains to be seen how Scaloni will adapt. His first instinct was to call Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister, who offers something different from Lo Celso. He can create, can score stunners, and can be an important addition from the bench.

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Rodrigo De Paul and Leandro Paredes will be Scaloni's double pivot, with Messi operating in a free role just ahead of them.

Lautaro Martinez's chemistry with Messi has been top-notch, He will lead the line alongside Angel Di Maria. Erling Haaland's understudy Julian Alvarez, Sevilla's Papu Gomez and Paulo Dybala are decent options to call on if Plan A is not working.

Add the Lionel Messi factor and Argentina are in business. Messi is literally having a Ballon d'Or season at PSG.

Possible XI: Martinez, Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico, De Paul, Paredes, Rodriguez, Messi, Martinez, Di Maria

Mexico

• Star player: Hirving Lozano
• Rising star: Edson Alvarez
• Coach: Gerardo Martino
• Sports Brief's predicted finish: Group Stage
• FIFA Ranking: 13

Martino's main task will be to break the fourth-game curse. Mexico have reached the round of 16 of all the World Cup editions since 1998 but never beyond that.

However, Mexico has a whiff of negativity hanging around them in the build-up to Qatar 2022. The side's recent results have negated the euphoria Martino created when he first took over the job in 2019, winning the Gold Cup and a high-profile win over the Netherlands.

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On top of that, Jesus 'Tecatito' Corona was added as a statistic of the big stars set to miss out with injury. Raul Jimenez last played in August but has been called up anyway.

Mexico have struggled for goals upfront and Martino might have been tempted to call up former Manchester United striker Chicharito, before deciding against it.

Guillermo Ochoa is the only positive figure in the squad. The veteran goalkeeper lives for the World Cups and is set to make his fifth appearance. Lozano might also inject the blistering Napoli form into a side that has felled giants before.

Possible XI: Ochoa, Araujo, Montes, Gallardo, Sanchez, Alvarez, Guardardo, Rodriguez, Lozano, Vega, Martin

Saudi Arabia

• Star player: Salem Al-Dawsari
• Rising star: Saleh al-Shehri
• Coach: Herve Renard
• Sports Brief's predicted finish: Group Stage
• FIFA Ranking: 51

Herve Renard's record in Africa is in tact, having been the only coach to win two AFCON titles with two different countries. But the World Cup is no AFCON.

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In the midst of preparing for a surprise run in the World Cup, he was hit with a tough draw that no one expects him to qualify from.

Renard's bold approach, despite his opposition, is his hallmark. Expect the Saudi side to start playing from the back, even with Lewandowski or Martinez breathing down their necks.

His main route to goals is Salem Al-Dawsari, whose fitness concerns will be a major concern. The former Villarreal man has the most goal involvements under Renard.

However, Saudi Arabia remain susceptible to high-pressing teams, with the team's defensive shape often opened up easily.

The Green Falcon's chances look bleak and it would be a major surprise if they qualified from this group.

Possible XI: Owais, Amri, Bulaihi, Shahrani, Ghanam, Sharahili, Faraj, Najei, Al-Dawsari, al-Shehri, Bahebri

You can read Group A's analysis here and Group B's analysis here.