Argentina in Grave Danger of Missing World Cup

World Cup qualifying is reaching its final stages, but for one would-be favorite, little has gone to plan. After two ugly defeats last week, Argentina is now in very real danger of not making it to South Africa next summer. They have not missed a World Cup since 1970.

First, Argentina lost at home to Brazil, 3-1, and on Wednesday Paraguay booked a spot in the World Cup at their expense, winning 1-0. That left Argentina in fifth place in the South American qualifying group, where only the top four earn an automatic bid. The fifth faces a playoff against the fourth finisher from the North, Central America and Caribbean Zone. (If you need a full refresher on how qualifying works, click here.)

Now, with two games left, Argentina could easily move back into the automatic slots. Ecuador is only a point ahead of them. But perhaps they should be more concerned about the team just a point behind them, their neighbors Uruguay. To add to the intrigue, the two will face off in the final game of qualifying and, as it stands, it will be for the decisive fifth place.

In Argentina, where the generation of Lionel Messi already saw itself lifting the trophy in South Africa, the predicament is nothing short of a crisis. Even the legendary Diego Maradona, who was elevated to the rank of the gods during his playing days, now seems mortal as the national team coach.

The final two games are Oct. 10 and Oct. 13. They will certainly be worth watching, because of Argentina fails to qualify, the national federation will be in the awkward position of dismissing its greatest servant.