Can Messi play Ronaldo in World Cup? Explaining knockout bracket for Argentina, Portugal

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As the group stage comes to a close and the knockout bracket is taking shape, two of the biggest stars in the World Cup could be on a collision course.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both playing in their record sixth World Cup in hopes of taking home the title. Messi is a defending champion after winning it all in 2022, while Ronaldo hasn't made it as far as the semifinals since his first appearance in 2006.

With one day of games left in the group stage, there is still much to settle in Group K, as Portugal can finish one of several places in the standings. One specific scenario, though, would put Roberto Martinez's team on the same side of the bracket as Argentina.

Here's what to know about Messi and Ronaldo's potential World Cup meeting.

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Can Messi play Ronaldo in World Cup?

There is a scenario that would lead to a battle between Messi and Ronaldo early in the knockout stage.

Argentina has already secured the top spot in Group J, meaning the team knows exactly where it will be placed in the knockout stage. It will face off against Cape Verde in the Round of 32.

While Portugal is still fighting for seeding in the final day of group play, the team could find itself on Argentina's side of the bracket. If Portugal finishes in first place in Group K, it would mean that Argentina and Portugal could meet in the quarterfinals.

However, if Portugal finishes in second place in Group K, then it will be placed on the complete opposite side of the bracket. This would mean that Messi and Ronaldo could only meet in the World Cup final.

Finally, Portugal is still eligible to finish in third in its bracket if results don't go the team's way on Saturday. That scenario would put Portugal on the same side of the bracket as Argentina, with a chance to meet each other in the semifinals.

Argentina knockout bracket

Argentina clinched the top spot in Group J after just two victories in the group stage. As a result, the Albiceleste will now face Cape Verde in Round of 32, as African side secured second place in its group with three straight draws.

If Argentina takes care of business against Cape Verde, it will face the winner of Egypt vs. Australia in the Round of 16. Both those teams finished in second place in their respective groups and would each be massive underdogs against the defending champions.

Argentina's potential quarterfinal opponents are still up in the air as the rest of the group stage comes to a close, but one possible foe is Switzerland. However, that is the round where Messi and Ronaldo could meet, as Portugal winning Group K would put them on that side of the bracket.

From there, Argentina could play a semifinal match against any one of several teams, including Mexico, Norway, Brazil, or the Ivory Coast. It is also notable that Argentina can only play France, Spain, Germany, or Morocco if they meet in the finals.

LIVE: Updated World Cup knockout bracket as the group stage comes to a close

Portugal knockout bracket

Portugal's knockout path depends on how it closes the group stage on Saturday night, as it could still finish either in first or second in Group K.

If Portugal wins its group, it will face one of several third-place finishers from the group stage. Those options include Ecuador, Senegal, Austria, Algeria, Ghana or Croatia, all of whom have either already finished in third place or could finish in third depending on Saturday's results.

In that scenario, Portugal would be lined up to potentially face Switzerland in the Round of 16 before a collision course with Argentina in the quarterfinals.

However, it's still possible Portugal finishes in second in its group. That finish would have the Selecao playing one of England, Ghana or Croatia in the Round of 32, depending on which of those three teams finishes in second place in Group L.

Portugal's second-place knockout path would also have the team facing a potential match against Spain in the Round of 16, with USA or Belgium lurking in the quarterfinals.

Finally, it's still possible that Portugal finishes in third place in Group K. That would mean the team plays the winner of Group L, either England, Ghana or Croatia, with a path to potentially face Mexico in the Round of 16.

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