Quite frankly, you’re lying if you don’t want to see a Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo showdown for the World Cup trophy.
The prospect of seeing two of the greatest ballers in history slugging it out for the biggest prize in the game, in what is likely to be their last shot at the title, is tantalising.
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What makes it even more exciting is the fact that Argentina and Portugal are actually on track to reach the World Cup final after making encouraging starts to Qatar 2022.
Lionel Messi inspired the Albiceleste to overcome their shock defeat to Saudi Arabia by beating Mexico and Poland to finish top of Group C before scoring in his 1000th game in professional football as Australia were swatted aside in the last 16.
READ MORE ON QATAR 2022: World Cup TV schedule | World Cup live stream free | World Cup top scorers | World Cup results
Cristiano Ronaldo has grabbed headlines with his antics on and off the pitch. The controversial interview with Piers Morgan prompted his exit from Manchester United but he became the first player to score at five World Cups when netting in Portugal’s 3-2 win over Ghana.
He then tried to steal one of Bruno Fernandes’ goals before sulking like a child when subbed off in his team’s 2-1 defeat to South Korea and was subsequently dropped for the last-16 rout of Switzerland.
The big question is can Messi’s Argentina and Ronaldo’s Portugal face off in the World Cup?
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Well, the answer is yes, and their only potential matchup would be in the final as the two nations are on different sides of the World Cup bracket.
Argentina are two games away from the World Cup final and their next match is a quarter-final tie against the Netherlands on Friday, December 9.
If Messi and co can overcome the Dutch then they will face South American rivals Brazil or World Cup 2018 finalists Croatia in the last four on Tuesday, December 13.
READ MORE: Is Cristiano Ronaldo playing at the World Cup today? Details of Portugal’s next match
Portugal are also two games from a place in the showpiece and face Morocco in the last eight at 15:00 GMT on Saturday, December 10.
If they progress then England and France are potential opponents in the second semi-final on Wednesday, December 14.
The World Cup final is scheduled to take place at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday, December 18 and 15:00 GMT.
Friday’s World Cup Tips
- A 7/1 shock features in Lawro’s World Cup predictions
- Your 11/1 Netherlands v Argentina Bet Builder
- Phil Thompson’s Netherlands v Argentina betting tips
- Thommo’s Croatia v Brazil Bet Builder clocks in at 10/1
- An 11/1 pick tops our Croatia v Brazil betting tips
Saturday’s World Cup Tips
- Phil Thompson’s Morocco v Portugal betting tips include a 13/2 punt
- Peter Crouch’s 46/1 England v France Bet Builder
- Thommo’s revealed his England v France betting tips
- 5 potential card selections for your England v France FREE bet