World Cup 2014 11am Bulletin: Argentina stepping up

Lionel Messi has quadrupled his World Cup goal tally this summer

Argentina were more convincing than France in their final group game, while three more coaches have quit...

The scoreline might suggest a struggle, but Argentina's 3-2 victory over Nigeria was comfortably their most encouraging performance of the World Cup to date, and against the toughest team that they have faced too, indicating that they are hitting form as the knockout phase approaches.

They registered 13 shots on target compared to five and nine in the first two games and scored as many goals as against Bosnia and Iran combined - including two more for Lionel Messi to tie him with Barcelona buddy Neymar on four as joint-top goalscorer and establish him as 4.1n/a favourite.

Winning Group F leads them into the less intimidating half of the draw, where their most likely opponents were they to blaze a trail to the final would be Switzerland, Belgium and Netherlands. It hints that there is at the very least back-to-lay value in their outright odds of 5.59/2.

While matchday three saw Argentina deliver their most impressive display, France served up their least inspiring 90 minutes yet in a goalless draw with Ecuador, who looked more plausible winners towards the end despite playing almost the entire second half with ten men.

Les Bleus are fifth favourites to claim the trophy at 9.89/1, with 250.0249/1 outsiders Nigeria acting as their round-of-16 obstacle. Switzerland followed them out of Group E with a Xherdan Shaqiri-fuelled 3-0 triumph over Honduras, though Argentina are expected to halt their participation.

It has been another resignation-rife 24 hours too, with Japan's Alberto Zaccheroni, Iran's Carlos Queiroz and Honduras' Luis Fernando Suarez following Italy's Cesare Prandelli and Ivory Coast's Sabri Lamouchi in accepting elimination as their cue to leave.

Onto Thursday's business, the full round-of-16 line-up will be known after Group G and H's finales. All eight nations competing stand a chance of progressing, with Belgium the sole side certain of qualification.

In Group G, Kevin Hatchard is tipping up a Germany win accompanied by over 2.5 goals against USA and Ghana to prevail (draw no bet) against Portugal. Over in Group H, Evan Bartlett is on Algeria to gazump Russia (draw no bet) and advises backing Belgium to beat South Korea at tasty odds.

Recommended Bet: Back-to-lay Argentina to win the World Cup @ 5.59/2