That expanded field means Argentina is already well on its way to a World Cup return, but the table is tightening as Brazil are struggling to recover after a slow start, while Colombia and Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay are dangerous but have had hiccups and Bolivia had won three in a row to thicken the plot in the race for the final

Along with Lionel Messi, another key player for Argentina will miss the World Cup Qualifying matches against Brazil and Uruguay. The World Cup Qualifiers resume this weekend, with Argentina are scheduled to face two of their biggest rivals,