Argentina only once failed to step out of the group phase in the last 12 appearances at the World Cup. The exception occurred in 2002.
Lionel Messi melakoni debut at the World Cup on 16 June. After 13 minutes of coming on for Maxi Rodriguez, he completed a 6-0 victory over Serbia.
Argentina successfully won the group in the last three editions of the World Cup. They won the opening match on the six most recent performances in the competition.