Argentina's hopes of qualifying for next summer's World Cup took a severe hit following a goalless draw against Peru, last night.
Despite boasting some of the most gifted attacking players in world football, La Albiceleste have been utterly dreadful in this current qualifying campaign, and stats do not make for good reading for all those connected with the Argentina national team.
Jorge Sampaoli's side have won just six games from 17 in qualifying, (Sampaoli only took the reins from Edgardo Bauza), scoring a mere 16 goals in those outings. The only goal they've scored in their last four games came was an own goal and as pointed out by Miguel Delaney of The Independent, the numbers behind Argentina's misfiring attackers are quite terrible.
Incredibly, 73 shots have been taken by Argentina players since the last time they scored a goal in qualifying. And to make matters worse, that goal was a penalty main man and captain Lionel Messi scored against Chile.
You have to go as far back as November 2016, when Argentina beat Colombia 3-0 in San Juan, for the last time someone other than five-time Ballon d'or winner Messi scored a goal in qualifying. In that instance, both Angel Di Maria and Lucas Pratto were on the scoresheet.
But since then, Argentina have been woeful, with their only competitive victory coming against Chile in March.
Image: PA
Their last three games have all been draws, two of which were 0-0 and one which was 1-1, where a Rolf Feltscher own goal earned them a point.
Going into last night's game at La Bombonera, Argentina were sixth in the table, level on points with fifth-placed Peru, managed by former Argentina international Ricardo Gareca. They were on course for a place in the play-offs, as the worst-case scenario.
Image: PA
However, the drab draw, coupled with other results, such as Chile's 2-1 win over Ecuador, means that in the last round of fixtures, Argentina are now depending on results elsewhere to go their way in order to qualify for Russia. In addition, they've also got seventh-placed Paraguay breathing down their necks.
With the exception of Brazil, who sealed their qualification for the tournament a while back, five teams in the CONMEBOL group are tussling it out for the three remaining automatic qualification spots, as well as the play-off spot which will see the fifth-best team play against New Zealand in a two-legged play-off in November. Only two points separate Chile, in third and, Paraguay, in seventh.
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It's going down to the wire, and you have to say at the moment, the chances of Messi and co. being part of next summer's footballing showpiece look incredibly bleak. There are a few different scenarios for how they can qualify, whether it be automatically, or through the play-offs, but with the way they are playing, it looks a stretch.
A win over Ecuador would guarantee Argentina a meeting with New Zealand in the play-offs, and if they do that and already qualified Brazil get a draw or win against Chile, they will progress automatically.
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Moreover, a draw could also do the business but they would either need one of Peru or Colombia (who are playing each other) to lose, Chile to lose by a two-goal margin or Paraguay, currently one point behind them, to draw or lose.
If they suffer defeat on Wednesday, there is a glimmer of hope. If Paraguay don't win, and Peru lose by a greater scoreline than Argentina.
Will they qualify?
Let us know your predictions in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: PA