Argentina, Netherlands and Chile experiencing a nightmare in World Cup qualifying

Argentina, Netherlands and Chile are living a nightmare in World Cup qualifying. Despite having top-level squads and being protagonists in major international tournaments, the Albiceleste, the Oranje and La Roja have been unable to find the necessary rhythm in their matches and are close to being left out of the next World Cup in Russia.

There is less and less time to define the invited teams for the upcoming World Cup, and the outlook looks complicated for these three national teams, who need to perform perfectly in their remaining matches and even rely on a combination of results to make the miracle happen.

ARGENTINA

The least affected of all. The Albiceleste, who were runners-up in the 2014 World Cup after losing 1-0 to Germany at the Maracanã Stadium, as well as reaching two consecutive Copa America finals, both lost to Chile, have been left behind.

Now, luck has turned its back on Lionel Messi and company, who, with only two matches left in the CONMEBOL qualifiers, are in fifth place - just enough to fight for a spot in the playoffs against New Zealand - with 24 points, resulting from six wins and six draws, against four losses, including one against Ecuador in the initial round and a 3-0 defeat by Brazil on November 10.

The Barcelona forward has not been able to perform as he does for his club, as evidenced by the four goals he has scored in eight appearances, well below expectations. They are obliged to defeat Peru - currently in fourth place with the same number of points as Argentina - and Ecuador - with 20 points - if they aspire to be among the teams invited to Russia.

CHILE

The two-time Copa America champions are going through a tough time. Although they were benefited by FIFA's punishment to Bolivia for fielding an ineligible player, the downfall began when they lost in the Confederations Cup final against Germany.

Until that date, La Roja remained in fourth place and had possibilities of qualifying. Then came the defeats against Paraguay (0-3) and Bolivia, which dropped them to sixth place and allowed Peru to dream of attending their first World Cup since Spain 1982.

It was precisely against Paraguay that Arturo Vidal scored a costly own goal that shattered the team's spirits and ignited the rage of the Chilean fans, to the point that 'the King' announced he will retire from La Roja once the 2018 World Cup is over.

Chile needs practically a miracle. They need to accumulate at least three points and have both Peru and Argentina fail to score in order to secure at least the fourth place. Their next opponents are Ecuador and Brazil.

NETHERLANDS

The Netherlands is facing the biggest concerns. Runner-ups in South Africa 2010 and semi-finalists in Brazil 2014 - where they were involved in controversy against Mexico in the famous #NoEraPenal of Arjen Robben - the downfall of the Oranje began in the Euro 2016 qualifiers, where they couldn't even reach the playoffs for that tournament in the old continent.

In this World Cup qualifying campaign, the situation has worsened. With thirteen points and two matches remaining, the Netherlands is on the verge of missing their first World Cup since the Korea-Japan tournament in 2002. They are three points behind Sweden - who is in second place in Group A with a chance of advancing to the knockout stage - while France (17 points) sits as the group leader.

Four points (and no points for Sweden) are enough to secure at least a place in the playoffs, but if they manage to defeat Luxembourg and the Nordic team - their last two opponents - and the French fail to earn any points, the Oranje has the possibility of securing direct qualification. A mission that sounds very complicated for the Netherlands.