La Albiceleste's loss leaves them in a tight spot ahead of Nigeria's match on Friday. Have a look at what Messi and Co. need to survive.

With three games left in Group D of the FIFA World Cup, Argentina needs a miracle to avoid what could be the most embarrassing performance by the South American titans in a FIFA World Cup.

La Albiceleste's point tally leaves them in need of a victory against Nigeria in Matchday 3 of the competition, but even then, there are some scenarios in which not even that could save them from an early World Cup exit.

Argentina's chances of survival will rely heavily on what Nigeria and Iceland do tomorrow. Let's have a closer look at how things stand, so you know how complicated things could get for Messi and Co.

Group D standings

Nigeria vs Iceland

This is the game that will determine what Argentina need to do on Matchday 3. The best outcome for La Albiceleste in this game would be a draw, since they would "only" require to beat Nigeria in their last game and hope for Iceland to lose against Croatia.

A potential win for Iceland would force Argentina to beat Nigeria in their last game of the group, hoping that Iceland loses against Croatia. Group D's runner up spot would be decided by goal average.

A win by Nigeria would mean that La Albiceleste and the Super Eagles will fight each other for a spot in the next round. It would be a do-or-die game, just like the one they had to endure against Ecuador to secure their spot in the FIFA World Cup.

 

Match details, result and original broadcast info

Nigeria 2 - 0 Iceland

June 22, 2018 11:00amVolgograd Arena (Volgograd)

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Matchday 3 - Croatia vs Iceland

Croatia could secure the top spot of this group with a draw. If Iceland defeats Nigeria on Friday, a draw in this game could qualify both of them. Should Iceland earn a draw against the African side, a win here would lift them past La Albiceleste and into the next round.

 

Match details, result and original broadcast info

Nigeria 1 - 2 Argentina

June 26, 2018 2:00pmSaint-Petersburg Stadium (Sankt-Peterburg (St. Petersburg))

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Matchday 3 - Nigeria vs Argentina

Sampaoli's men dropped the ball big time against Croatia, and now, anything but a win against Nigeria will send them packing. The last time these teams met saw the Super Eagles flying high over La Albiceleste, defeating them 4-1. Will history repeat itself?

 

Match details, result and original broadcast info

Iceland 1 - 2 Croatia

June 26, 2018 2:00pmRostov Arena (Rostov-na-Donu)

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So there you have it. Argentina's chances of making it to the next round are narrow, to say the least. Will Messi and Co. survive elimination? Judging by Maradona's reaction after the game, things are not looking good.

Who will win Groups C and D?

Group C

France has already qualified to the next round, and a draw against Denmark would see them through in first place. The Danish Dynamite would also benefi from that result, as they would end the group stage with 5 points, one more than those Australia could reach if they beat Peru.

Group D

As things stand now, Iceland has the upper hand over Nigeria and Argentina. With Croatia already through, the Scandinavian side seems to be holding all the cards to win four points out of their remaining six, which would be good enough to reach the next stage. With that in mind, Nigeria and Argentina will have to watch the rest of the tournament on TV.

FIFA World Cup Group C and D