Argentina finds itself in sixth place — not assured of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup — as it is set to face Brazil on Thursday in the 11th of 18 games in the South America qualifying campaign.
Bolivia’s forfeit against Chile gave the latter two extra points that jumped it into fifth place — which would be good enough for a playoff against the Oceania champion. The top fourteams in South American gain automatic berths.
Argentina will have Lionel Messi back in its team. It also has a host of other attacking threats in its deep pool — CarlosTevez, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala, Angel Di Maria, Javier Pastore, Erik Lamela — but it has struggled with and without Messi.