Group C: Team previews and breakdowns

Group C gives us one of the favorites to win it all in Argentina and two teams that have a lot of questions around them in Mexico and Poland, while Saudi Arabia who will look to leave a better impression than what they have done in the past.

ARGENTINA

They arrive at the World Cup as one of the top contenders to win it all. While a few months ago the list of candidates included half a dozen nations, in recent weeks it looks like is boiling down to La Albiceleste and their South American rivals Brazil.

Argentina is on a 35-game undefeated streak spanning more than 3 years. Since their last loss in the 2019 Copa America semifinal against Brazil - Argentina has been invigorated with new talent emerging with the national team.

Since their last loss Argentina won the 2021 Copa America against Brazil and earlier this year won the Finalissima trophy defeating European Champions Italy 3-0.

Team's Philosophy:

The team tends to play with a 4-3-3, the backline has been an issue for the team in previous big tournaments, but seem like they have finally found some long-term answers. The midfield while lacking in superstars, they have a wide range of options of very skilled players that can play in various roles to give the team flexibility to make tactical changes with the same personnel.

But most importantly, a big key for the recent success of the team has been that the team has found ways to stop depending too much on Lionel Messi, and the rise of Lautaro Martinez has definitely helped relieve the captain off some of the pressure.

This is how Argentina could line up:

Emiliano Martinez became the starter of the national team with stellar performances in the last Copa America, Nicolas Tagliafico on the left is the only remaining starter for the back-line that underperformed in Russia. Lisandro Martinez now at Manchester United and Tottenham center back Cristian Romero seem as the likely options to start. Right back is still open between Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel, but I expect Molina to win the starter job.

The midfield has a lot of quality, Rodrigo De Paul and Leandro Paredes should be easy locks, they can contribute defensively and also provide the front three. Angel Di Maria can play on either wing, expect Messi to have the freedom to find space in between lines and the presence of the goal scorer Lautaro Martinez will keep defenders busy and give Messi an opportunity to find holes in the defense. This is a very scary team that can score a lot of goals.

Players to watch: At the back I would keep an eye on how good the Martinez and Romero partnership is, but their first real test may not come until the second round. When it comes to the Midfield I want to watch Rodrigo De Paul and up front is all about what Messi and Lautaro can do.

Weakness: The right back position has not been settled and is an area opposing teams could try to exploit, and if the center back pairing doesn't gel well it could become a problem in the second round.

Bench options: If the center back pairing doesn't work particularly well they have other options such as Juan Foyth and Nicolas Otamendi that can come in and step in.

In the middle Exequiel Palacios is a young players that could surprise many if he's required to come in to lend a hand, if you need a midfielder that can help the attack you have Alexis Mac Allister and up front Joaquin Correa and Nico Gonzalez are another two good options. This team is loaded!

What to expect: Argentina should expect to be a top contender, with the quality of players at their disposal this team should at least reach the semifinals, where they could potentially face Brazil. Whoever win that potential matchup should go all the way.

The worst case scenario for Argentina is that France finished second in their group and they have to play them in the Round of 16 - while it would be a tough test Argentina should still be favored to win. This really is the best and final chance for Messi to guide Argentina to a World Cup trophy.

SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi Arabia has one of the worst series of results against the top seed in the World Cup, in their last 4 World Cup appearances Saudi Arabia has lost by a combined score of 18-0 against the top team in its group.

But this is the year that they could turn the tide around just a bit, this team is loaded with players that have been part of the team for years and they have become a solid team defensively, while they will continue to struggle to score goals, seems they have gotten better at the back which could allow them to keep games competitive.

Team's Philosophy: Despite often playing with a 4-3-3, this team likes to defend for their lives.

Saudi Arabia has allowed only three goals in their last 8 games, including teams like Ecuador, United States, Iceland and Croatia. On the flip side they've only managed to score 4 in their last 10 games.

This is how they could line-up:

To add to their goal-scoring woes, the team will be without one of its leading scorers in Fahad Al-Muwallad after the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed the lifting of his suspension.

Saudi Arabia will try to keep their games scoreless as long as possible and hope to find a way to score by capitalizing on mistakes and set pieces.

Players to watch: Firas Al-Buraikan, Salem Al-Dawsari. Salman Al-Faraj

Weakness: Lack of goal-scoring options.

Bench options: There are no particular

What to expect: Certainly not a lot of excitement, but this disciplined team is capable of stealing points from Poland and Mexico, but don't expect much more than that.

MEXICO

El Tri has one of the most intriguing streaks at the World Cup - They have advanced to the knockout stage and have been eliminated in the Round of 16 seven times in a row.

While they're trying to reach the Quarterfinals for the first time since 1986 - the team arrives at Qatar in poor form having won only three of its final nine games - and the wins coming to teams such as Suriname, Iraq and Peru.

In the last two year's Mexico has shown a lot of fragility at the back and in recent months have struggled to create chances offensively. Mexico tends to do better at World Cup than what they show in the months leading up to it, but it's difficult to see how they could turn things around. The first game against Poland will likely determine who will join Argentina in the second round.

Team's Philosophy: Under Tata Martino, Mexico has played with a 4-3-3, and probably two years ago the team had lots of options up front, the lack of playing time and bad form some players are going through make it difficult to be able to find reliable starting 11.

Raul Jimenez is the biggest enigma, he is coming off an injury and will have to be eased back into the team, I would expect Rogelio Funes Mori to start against Poland.

Even if Jimenez get back to fitness, he hasn't scored a non-penalty goal for Mexico in more than 2 years. Still Martino felt he could do fine without taking Santiago Gimenez and Javier Hernandez.

This is how they could line-up:

The only three players that have earned a starting spot are Guillermo Ochoa, Edson Alvarez and Hirving Lozano. In recent games Alexis Vega has surfaced as the best option on the right wing, while Luis Chavez may get the nod to start in the midfield.

At the back, Martino will go for experience and start Jesus Gallardo as left back, and Hector Moreno next to him, the big question is who will be the second center back and I'm leaning toward Nestor Araujo, but Cesar Montes height could make him a candidate to start against Poland and Jorge Sanchez is a lock at right back.

Players to watch: Rogelio Funes Mori is a good striker but has shown his best version for Mexico, at least not yet and what better opportunity to quiet the critics than performing at the biggest stage. Alexis Vega has emerged as another good option for the team up front, Mexico really needs a second threat on the wing to avoid rivals from focusing too much on shutting down Lozano.

Weakness: Defense, for reference watch the June game against Uruguay or the second half of the game against Colombia in September. Mexico is very fragile when they face teams that put heavy-pressure on them and those who go all out on the attack. While Mexico has players that could take advantage in the counter, during qualifying Mexico's transition to the attack was offer slow and predictable. All of this has to change before the opening match to have a chance to keep their Round of 16 streak alive.

Bench options: Rogelio Funes Mori while not projected as a starter, could have a big impact on the team, in the middle Carlos Rodriguez and in the left flank Gerardo Arteaga are some of the players that could give the team a boost in critical moments.

What to expect: It's do or die against Poland, Mexico have to treat that game as a single-elimination game, even a draw may give the edge to Poland to advance on a better goal differential when the group stage is done. Despite all the struggles expect them to be in the fight, but if they lose to Poland they will be eliminated even before they take the field against Saudi Arabia.

POLAND

The Lewandowski boys come in with a good solid team across all of their lines and even have a few attacking options they could bring off the bench.

Despite having one of the world's best strikers, Poland comes from underwhelming performances at the 2018 World Cup and the 2020 Euro, the team was eliminated in the first round in both managing to only get one win, one draw and four losses in those six games.

Team's Philosophy: Poland likes to change their formation quite a bit, but a reasonable expectation is to see a 4-3-3 from them.

This allows the team to have two wingers alongside Lewandowski up front, but the team isn't afraid to play with two strikers.

This is how they could line-up:

Poland hasn't reached the Round of 16 in 36 years and this may be their best opportunity to break that streak. They have a balanced team without any obvious flaws.

Players to watch: Robert Lewandowski, Piotr Zielinski.

Weakness: Not a lot, maybe depth in midfield and left back.

Bench options: Arkadiusz Milik and Krzysztof Piątek are two good options to help Lewandowski up front. Robert Gumny is a young player that could see time as right back for the team.

What to expect: The game against Mexico will tell us what to expect for this team, but they have a great opportunity to make it to the second round if they avoid a loss to Mexico, after that a potential matchup with France or Denmark in the Round of 16 is as far they'll probably get.