The Argentina 2014 World Cup home jersey will appear in two of the three games that Argentina plays during this summer's group stage. The team has earned "home field" advantage thanks to its seeding as one of the top five teams in the tournament. Argentina is fully expected to win its group Group F, which also includes Nigeria, Iran, and the aforementioned Bosnia and Herzegovina team and to progress well into the knockout stage. Fans who think Argentina has a chance at stealing the World Cup trophy should stop by the Soccer Box online store to stock up on team gear.
Argentina vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
By all accounts, the June 15th match between Argentina and Bosnia and Herzegovina should be an easy call in favor of the Argentina home kit. After all, one team has won two World Cup titles, and the other is making its first ever World Cup appearance in Brazil this summer; one team has arguably the greatest player in football, Lionel Messi, as its anchor, while the other has no players approaching that level of fame; and one team is ranked as the fifth best in the world by FIFA, while the other is back at 21.
However, none of those stats take into account the fact that Bosnia and Herzegovina won its UEFA qualifier by scoring a grand total of 30 goals in 10 games against five opponents. The next highest scoring team in the group, Greece, netted 12 points in 10 games.
Granted, the other teams in the group (Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia and Lichtenstein) are all markedly weaker teams than any of the threats Bosnia and Herzegovina will face in Brazil. However, 30 goals is a number that can't be ignored, and it's a stat that marks Bosnia and Herzegovina as a possible dark horse spoiler in any match they play this summer even against the storied strength of the Argentina 2014 World Cup home jersey.
The Other Group F Matches
In any case, the Argentina vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina match will easily be the most (and perhaps, only) exciting moment of Group F, and is a game that football fans around the world should make a note to watch. With Iran and Nigeria respectively ranked at 43 and 44 on FIFA's list, there is little question about which teams from Group F will progress and which will not. As a result of this predictability, the outcome of the Argentina/Bosnia match is likely to provide the only form of fireworks that fans of either team will see until the knockout stage.
The other appearance of the Argentina 2014 World Cup home jersey in the group stage will come in a June 21st match against Iran. Argentina's away draw, meanwhile, will pit the team against Nigeria on June 25th. Neither match should be much of a challenge for Argentina, and should give the team a chance to remain rested and unstressed in the build-up for the World Cup's more substantial challenges.
Beyond the QuarterfinalsÂ
No matter what happens in the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Argentina's players will likely continue to look forward. The team is striving to make it beyond the quarterfinals for the first time since 1990, when Argentina finished as tournament runners-up. Since then, Argentina has oscillated between exits in the round of 16 and the quarterfinals.
Do you think Argentina has what it takes to post its best World Cup performance in more than two decades? Head to Soccer Box today and pick up an Argentina home kit to show your support for this terrific team.
