Positive signs that Messi and Argentina can deliver a fairytale finish

Argentina have not been beaten in their last 36 matches, so it's no surprise that the World Cup atmosphere there is euphoric even before they have kicked a ball in Qatar.

Support has grown for a third triumph in the competition and it seems justified. And now there is an increasing feeling that things are going a bit too well.

Argentina have an outstanding chance of going all the way this month, so it has become a case of what might go wrong.

They have conceded just two goals in their last 15 matches, but there are still a few worries that the defence will not stand up to the tests of the later matches.

Manager Lionel Scaloni has brought in Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez, who is the best goalkeeper they have had for many years, and Tottenham's Cristian Romero is the best defender they have had for quite a while.

But there are fears that the Spurs man is injury prone and it could be too much for him to play seven matches in the space of a month if they get to the final.

They have looked a bit stretched at times, even when they played the UAE in their final warm-up game, and top opposition will test them to the hilt.

Even Saudi Arabia could give them some issues in their opening game if they can somehow hit them on the counter-attack and score the first goal.

These records also end at some time. After all, Italy went 36 games without losing and they are not even at the World Cup.

And Argentina are likely to miss Giovani Lo Celso too, mainly because he is the player who can set Lionel Messi, who is set to star on this stage for the final time, into action.

But there are so many positives. Angel di Maria has been superb lately and looks the joker in the pack. Expect him to pop up all over the place.

And then, of course, there is Messi who is not only benefiting from some great form but he is also playing in what is probably the best national team he has featured in.

Everything is geared to getting the ball to him and letting him do his magic in the final third.

In some ways there are similarities with this team and the one Diego Maradona starred in the last time Argentina were world champions in 1986.

But that was a team who set themselves up to be hard to play against and this outfit is much more attractive.

They have come such a long way since Russia four years ago, when you wondered if Messi would even bother turning out again, but there has been a huge change in his attitude to playing for Argentina.

He was previously regarded as quiet and reserved in the camp which some found intimidating. Scaloni even resisted the urge to have Sergio Aguero in the squad when he first took over because there was a concern he would be the only person Messi talked to.

But there has been a change and Messi is now all-in. He has transformed into the team's leader, not just the best player, and Di Maria is one player who has said he likes this new Messi and there is a feeling in the country that he is now "one of us".

The heat should not concern them against Saudi Arabia and I expect them to pass the ball and wear their opponents down.

They will be patient and their class should tell so expect them to really dominate late on in the game.

And then they will be on their way and they will hope Romero, particularly, can get through these games unscathed.

Then they will have a great chance of winning a third World Cup.

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A 65" TV

Sign up to emails from Racing Post Sport and get all the latest news and tips

Today's top sports betting stories