Argentina are of course right now joint favourites to win the world cup with the bookmakers.

There's been a lot of hype so far regarding Messi/Ronaldo and so far Messi is delivering in this World Cup (unlucky Ronaldo). The reason why I am asking is that there is seemingly a huge wave of support for Argentina and more importantly Messi to win the world cup. I get the impression that much of the worlds media will be devastated if Argentina (and particularly Messi) fail to win it.

I suppose Argentina probably because of Messi are everyone's second team in this WC therefore. With that worldwide wave of support, do you see anyone other Argentina winning this WC?

Sure they're not the form side but I just get the impression that my 1986 WC Maradona documentary of 'Hero' will be now in a fairytale way will matched with 'Hero part II' on DVD coming out this Christmas.

Messi is delivering at the moment, and along with Neymar is on course for the Golden Boot, but Argentina aren't scoring as many overall goals as most of the other favourites.

Havent you learned from previous threads about making sports predictions? So many variables in a world cup. Still 4 or 5 teams that can win.

They really haven't been spectacular at all, they have been in the worst standard group of all as well.

They have not met anyone decent at all

They also tend to get a hiding from Germany in world cups

Its not meant to be prediction "hey look I might be right", I'm just trying to invoke a discussion of the likelihood of Argentina winning the WC. I'm playing devils advocate actually I honestly have no idea who will win it.

Easiest draw on paper. This can be a good thing in that they might not need to expend so much energy or it can be a bad thing if they underestimate the opposition or even if they get through to semis and then face their first top class side they might get blown away as they haven't had the chance to play against a top side yet.

I'd make them favourites just because they are likely to find themselves in the weaker bottom quadrant of the draw after the group.

That's fair enough Thomas , I don't think you can judge them till they meet a decent team.

Their group was the weakest of the eight

Inevitable? No.

But they were my tip before the tournament started and although they haven't been overly impressive and Messi has carried them somewhat it is only the first stage and I have no reason to change my mind.

And like Brazil I expect them to step it up once the knockout stages start.

It's Holland's to lose.

This was Argentina's best performance because they were up against a rampant Nigerian team who are better than we perhaps thought. Messi actually looked a part if the team for once but he is carrying the team. I'm pretty sure that the Nigerians would have taken him out if it hadn't been for the fact that they knew that they were most probably through and so didn't need to risk losing anyone.

I put my money on Argentina before the WC kicked off - truth be told I have been rather disappointed in them as they on paper look like they should be electric from front to back but they have been rather pedestrian in all the key areas (apart from Messi).

They will certainly need to pick up in the knock-out stages but I can't help feeling they will take a beating from the first decent team they meet.

..and they will.

Hope not. I have Belgium down to win it outright. If Nigeria gave the Argies a game I think Belgium could give them a better game.

Argentina remain a weak team to me, regardless of how Messi is playing at this World Cup. I don't doubt they'll suffer against a greater team, that's improvement upon
their group challengers.

**** em alll. Costa Rica for world cup

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwJRPY4E6K4

I hope they win it for my favourite Sheffield United player I never got to see , Alex Sabella.

Nah, they'll resort to dirty tricks and be down to ten men, and when they do that against Holland, Germany or Brazil, it's bye-bye.

For me Holland is the best team followed by Germany.

Not all that impressed with Brazil and Argentina.

Anyone can win. Any team can win a single game.

Greece could even pull it off. Not saying they will. Just they could.

SHOREHAM BOYS WE ARE HERE!

We're all Blades aren't we ?

UTB
FTP

Following that game, you can tell the gods are on their side.

They have all the worlds media supporting them (pretty much everyone outside Brazil wants to them to win it).

When you have that amount of tidal wave of support, which Argentina have, you just feel its written in the stars.

Its like Obama's election in America, just inevitable he was going to win it when he had the whole world wanting to him win.

Pretty much everyone? Where did you get that stat from?
Do you mean you and a few posters on DS?

I doubt the Germans, Duch, French etc want Argentina to win.

The neutrals I meant which is still most of the world. If Belgium get through it will be the first decent team they'll come up against, so we'll see. Like Brazil, they're getting the rub of the green when they most need as well. Maybe we are destined for the Brazil vs Argentina as Scolari predicted!