World Cup 2018: 5 Russia-bound teams and their squad lists

#2 Argentina

The Albiceleste squad is rather underwhelming

It is all or nothing for a generation of super talented Argentine players as a hat-trick of missed opportunities in cup finals (Brazil 2014 World Cup, Copa America 2015 and Copa America Centenario in 2016), means that Russia 2018 is the last chance for a host of players to grab a medal at senior national team level.

Led by Lionel Messi, a "golden generation" that boasts of such players like Javier Mascherano, Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria, Gonzalo Higuain, Ever Banega among others, will be in their late 30s once the next World Cup, Qatar 2022 rolls in and may no longer be part of the national team set-up by then.

The team was underwhelming in the South American qualifiers and needed a hat-trick by Messi in the last game of the qualifiers against Ecuador before they could join the Russian party.

Coach Jorge Sampaoli who masterminded Chile's 2015 Copa America title win has found the going tough and has not totally convinced since he took the job in 2017.

Valencia CF center-back Ezequiel Garay is the major omission in the 35-man preliminary squad while forwards Paulo Dybala (Juventus) and Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan) are not expected to make the final 23.

With a leaky defense, a midfield that is still some way short of consistent class, and an average set of goalkeepers to choose from, the team's hope for glory rests solely in the forward line.

The Albiceleste should get out of Group D which features Croatia, Iceland, and Nigeria but the chances of a third World Cup win are slim at best.