France’s Karim Benzema, back, and Patrice Evra, front, run on the field during a training session at the Santa Cruz stadium in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil, Sunday, June 22, 2014. (AP Photo/David Vincent)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi warms up during a training session at the Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Tuesday, June 24, 2014. Argentina plays in group F of the 2014 soccer World Cup. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)
The World Cup in Brazil closes in on its final 16 squads today as the teams in Groups E and F fight for spots in the so-called knockout round.
The key game in Group F features group-leading Argentina taking on second place Nigeria in Porto Alegre. In Group E, France is in first place with six points but is not yet assured of a spot in the next round as it faces Ecuador in Rio de Janeiro.
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