The 2022 FIFA World Cup is finally underway. Tournament hosts Qatar and Ecuador officially raised the curtain on November 20th in a sporting spectacle, unlike anything the Arab world has ever seen.
Oddschecker, which compares World Cup odds and offers, has made Brazil the favorite for the tournament. And with a strike force containing Vinicius Jr., Neymar, and Gabriel Jesus, it’s clear to see why.
The Selecao’s tournament gets underway on November 24th when they face off with Serbia at the Lusail Stadium, the stadium which will host the final on December 18th. The pair have faced off once before back in 2018. In that match, Brazil ran out as comfortable 2-0 winners courtesy of goals from Paulinho and Thiago Silva.
But it’s Group C that interests us the most. The group contains Brazil’s arch-rivals Argentina, who defeated their nemesis last summer on away territory to lift the Copa America, Lionel Messi’s first international trophy.
This year’s World Cup will mark the PSG magician’s final performance on football’s grandest stage, and you can bank on the fact that his teammates want to send him out on top.
Messi is more of a playmaker these days, rather than an out-and-out striker like he was under Pep Guardiola at Barcelona during his younger years. There are two other strikers, however, who will battle out for a starting position in Argentina’s lineup.
Lautaro Martinez
Argentina has always been blessed with iconic strikers. Since the turn of the millennium, they have had the likes of Gabriel Batistuta, Hernan Crespo, Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain, and Sergio Aguero. This year, their main striking option appears to be Inter Milan’s, Lautaro Martinez.
The former Racing Club man has bagged 82 goals in 202 games since his €25m move to the Nerazzurri four years ago – 17 of those goals came during the 2020/21 season, where his exploits helped the Italians to a first Serie A title in a decade.
Martinez also has a stellar record for his national term, averaging a goal every two games. If he can continue in the same vein, there’s a very real possibility that the South Americans could lift a first World Cup since the days of Diego Maradona some 36 years ago.
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Julian Alvarez
The apparent backup option for the Albicelestes’ is young Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez. The 22-year-old officially arrived at the Etihad in the summer following 54 goals in 122 games for River Plate. He has already hit three goals for his new club this season, despite being behind Erling Haaland when it comes to starting matches behind
Alvarez may start in more games than expected at this winter’s World Cup, however, and has been given the number 9 shirt by manager Lionel Scaloni.
