Help comes from the Brazilians, of all people.

The Brazilians!

Argentina's footballing nemesis.

Their attacker Richarlison spoke after the win against Switzerland (1-0) over the field in Stadium 974, the place where Argentina played Poland this Wednesday (8:00 p.m. CET in the FAZ live ticker for the World Cup, on ZDF and at Magenta TV) is playing its decisive group game.

"The lawn is not in good condition.

It's not particularly suitable if you want to make the game," said the striker.

You could take that as a hint to the Argentines, if you wanted to.

Or simply as a description of the condition of a barrel.

But that would not go with the dedication of the Argentines, who like to see everything about their team in a larger context.

Whereby: If the press and the public can deal with such nice trivialities as the pitch at the venue, that can only be seen as a good sign.

Volume and concern have dropped significantly since the 2-0 win against Mexico.

People believe in this team again after the shock at the start against Saudi Arabia (1: 2) and the following hysterical overtones.

Will Argentina emancipate itself from Messi?

The ultimate apocalypse is again in the distance, the constellation seems favorable.

A win and Argentina are sure to be in the round of 16, probably even as group winners.

That would be important if only to avoid meeting world champions France in the first knockout round.

Argentina lost to them in Russia four years ago.

If there was a draw, it would be more complicated.

Then Saudi Arabia should definitely not defeat Mexico in the parallel game.

A big victory for Mexico could also mean the end.

So it's better to win and be absolutely sure.

Coach Lionel Scaloni probably initially trusts the eleven players who started the game against Mexico.

Only Enzo Fernández could move into the team.

He scored 2-0 against Mexico, the first goal not scored by Lionel Messi.

Whether they succeed in emancipating themselves more from the captain in terms of sport should decide how the Argentines fare in Qatar.

Then someone like Fernández comes in handy, 21 years young, employed by Benfica Lisbon and there under the tutelage of German coach Roger Schmidt.

The enthusiasm that Fernández is currently igniting is great.

So big that he's already been linked with Real Madrid.

Such transfer rumors are anything but unusual, especially not during a World Cup, especially not in connection with a talented player.

Everything quite normal.

That's also a good sign from the Argentinian point of view.