BUENOS AIRES: Argentina hope their new coach Jorge Sampaoli’s magic touch, along with returning striker Lionel Messi’s magic skills, will spirit them through a rocky qualifying campaign to the 2018 World Cup.

Sampaoli moved a step closer to taking over the vacant position as Argentina coach on Friday (Saturday in Manila) as his current club side Sevilla said it had reached a deal with the Argentine Football Association (AFA).

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