RELYING on superstar Lionel Messi alone will not guarantee Argentina a spot in the quarterfinals of the Fifa World Cup 2018 in Russia.

Argentina, which placed second in Group D, plays Group C leader France tonight in the round of 16.

Davao Aguilas Football Club coach Melchor Anzures, in a Facebook interview with Sun.Star Davao yesterday, said France will capitalize on its team play.

"Daghan sila og attackers na pwede mu-score while Argentina si Messi lang. But still the ball is round. Pero lamang kaayo ang France, young and experience ilang mga players (France has a lot of strikers who could score while Argentina only has Messi. France has the advantage with young and experienced players)," Anzures said.

De La Salle University Green Archers football varsity player Darius Joseph "Jed" Diamante, who hails from Davao City, said both teams have brilliant players.

Diamante said, "Getting to the knockout stage, everyone wants to win. It will all boil down to who wants to win more."

Buboy Arrieta of Sports Amusement and Recreation Corporation (Sparcorp) said Argentina just played an inspired last game, adding, "They are inconsistent and I don't see them making it to the quarterfinals. France will go through too much depth on that squad."

Ateneo de Davao University coach Alex Adolfo added that Argentina will lose if it only leans on Messi. "Ang France kay team work (France has team work)," he said.