Lionel Messi: Interesting Coincidences That Show Argentina Might Win World Cup

Lionel Messi: Interesting Coincidences That Show Argentina Might Win World Cup

Martin Moses
updated at April 22, 2024 at 10:08 AM
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  • Argentina remain one of the favourites to win the World Cup despite an early setback against Saudi Arabia
  • The reigning Copa America champions were in superior form before the World Cup and will face Australia in the round of 16
  • There are some weird coincidences that the Albiceleste could look to ride on to glory

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Argentina had been considered one of the favourites for the World Cup trophy in Qatar. Lionel Scaloni's side came into the tournament against the backdrop of a 35-match unbeaten streak.

However, an opening day loss to Saudi Arabia made the squad have a quick reality check. The team bounced back with identical wins against Poland and Mexico to reignite hopes of a first World Cup trophy since 1986.

Lionel Messi, Argentina, World Cup
Lionel Messi looks on during Argentina's game against Poland. Photo by Richard Heathcote.
Source: Getty Images

Apart from a star-studded squad led by the evergreen Lionel Messi, there are some series of coincidences that show Argentina might just go all the way and lift the trophy on December 18th.

Now, if you have been in football long enough, you know that history and coincidences count for nothing. But it is the same kind of luck that Chelsea rode when they won the 2021 Champions League title.

A little fun won't hurt.

1986 World Cup

For starters, the last time Argentina won the World Cup was the last time Morocco finished first in their group, Canada finished last and Belgium finished third.

Fast forward to 2022, the same occurrences have repeated themselves in unison, with Belgium's third-place finish the biggest shocker.

Also, the last time Australia reached the round of 16 was in 2006. The team that beat them at that stage was Italy and the Azurri went on to win the World Cup. So perhaps if Argentina overcome Australia on December 3rd, the coincidences will keep piling up.

Messi missing penalty is good omen

Sports Brief also reported that Lionel Messi could've broken Argentina's hearts if the penalty miss against Poland came to haunt him later in the game.

However, goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez spared his blushes. Strangely, his penalty miss could be the best thing for his country as it closely resembles the country's 1978 and 1986 World Cup glory.

Surprisingly, the Argentina captain's miss could be a good omen for his country as it resembles events in the 1978 and 1986 World Cup tournaments, where they lost a penalty in the last group game but went on to win the tournament.

EA Sports prediction

There's also the issue of popular video game company EA Sports boldy predicting that Lionel Messi's Argentina will win the World Cup.

Sports Brief reported that the company arrived at that conclusion after conducting a simulation using its latest version of FIFA 23.

Argentina fans have every reason to take this as the gospel truth because EA Sports correctly predicted the winners of the past three editions. The company settled for a Spain win in 2010, a German triumph in 2014 and French heroics four years ago in Russia.

Now it's just up to Messi and co to prove if history does play a part in football.

Authors
Martin Moses photo
Martin Moses
Martin Moses is a sports journalist with over five years of experience in media. He graduated from Multimedia University of Kenya (Bachelor of Journalism, 2017-2021)