With Argentina ending their drought and winning the World Cup after 36 years, we have an absolute beauty of a coincidence involving the Socceroos’ only two appearances in the knockout stages.

2006: Italy defeat Australia in the Round of 16, Italy go on to defeat France in a Penalty Shootout in the Final

2022: Argentina defeat Australia in the Round of 16, Argentina go on to defeat France in a Penalty Shootout in the Final

Another World Cup Final coincidence that ties in to this one – In both 2006 and 2022, France’s opening goal was a penalty scored by the player wearing No.10 (Zinedine Zidane & Kylian Mbappe).

So if history is any lesson, Argentina are going to be knocked out in the Group Stage in 2026, repeat the dose in 2030, then completely miss the 2034 and 2038 World Cups.