Argentina's Lionel Messi, left, congratulates his teammate Alexis Mac Allister, second right, the scorer of the opening goal during the World Cup group C soccer match between Poland and Argentina at the Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)Argentina vs Poland, FIFA World Cup 2022 Highlights: Second half goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez were enough to take Lionel Messi’s Argentina to a 2-0 win over Robert Lewandowski’s Poland. Both teams qualified, with Argentina topping the group.
There was late drama in the group, as Mexico led Saudi Arabia 2-0 to put them and Poland exactly clear on all qualifying parameters. A late Salem Al Dawsari goal knocked Mexico out on goal difference.
In the other matches of the night, An invigorated Tunisia claimed a famous victory over a French team made up mostly of back-up players on Wednesday but their 1-0 win over the reigning champions was not enough for the North Africans to progress to the World Cup knockout stages.
In the next Group D match, Australia reached the World Cup last 16 for the first time since 2006 after Mathew Leckie earned them a gritty 1-0 upset win over Denmark in their final Group D match on Wednesday.
Australia finished second with six points, level with group winners France after the world champions lost 1-0 to Tunisia. Denmark were bottom on one point with Tunisia third on four.
Lineups:
Argentina (4-3-3): Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuña; De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister; Messi, Álvarez, Di María
Poland (4-4-1-1): Szczesny; Bereszynski, Glik, Kiwior, Cash; Frankowski, Bielik, Krychowiak, Zielinski; Swiderski; Lewandowski
Lionel Messi (L) and Saudi Arabia manager Herve Renard with members of his team. (Reuters photos)
A brilliant win for Scaloni's side, who finally look like they have arrived in this tournament. Much more assured in midfield, as Fernandez took control of that area and allowed Mac Allister and De Paul to push higher. They did not need any Messi heroics today, who despite seeing a penalty saved, had a bright game. Constantly on the move, drawing and beating opposition players and creating space.
Poland had an off game, too conservative and defensive, ultimately undone by the incessant pressure from the Argentine attack. It was a nervy finish as they looked to lose no worse than 0-2. They'll need to be much better, especially considering it is the little matter of... world champions France up next.
ARG 2-0 POL
Argentina take on Australia. Poland take on world champions France.
Both games to take place this weekend.
Mexico 1-2 Saudi Arabia.
Poland are through on goal difference. Heartbreaking, ruthless, enthralling World Cup football.
If Mexico score again, they can still go through on goals scored...
What a final few minutes over at the Lusail Stadium.
Saudi Arabia score! Incredible scenes! Al Dawsari finds the net.
Argentina win a big game, but Poland will hold their breath for the result in the other game...
ARG 2-0 POL
Poland could have been knocked out of the tournament there.
Sczcezny makes a brilliant save as Almada tries to dink it over him, and it needed a goal line clearance.
Nervy final scenes here.
ARG 2-0 POL
With 90m approaching, Poland are yet to hit a shot on target. Relentless Argentina have hit 10 shots on the mark.
Not only can they not concede, but two more yellow cards and they risk their place in the last 16.
ARG 2-0 POL
More from Sports
That would have broken Mexican hearts more than Argentine.
In acres of space, Martinez gets onto a pass in the right channel and smashes the ball past the far post. Poor.
ARG 2-0 POL
Andrew Amsan: Referee Danny Makkelie's first-half controversial penalty awarded to Messi has come under heavy fire with several experts expressing their disbelief over the call. Jamie Carragher tweeted: "That is a joke, that is never a penalty! Embarrassing VAR"
Referring in a World Cup is a high-pressure job that every official is cut for but Makkelie is no stranger to dealing with tough situations. Born in Willemstad, an island in the southern Caribbean Sea, he had a day job as a police inspector in Rotterdam apart from offering his services as referee and coach for the Royal Netherlands Football Association.
Makkelie, who was the video assistant referee at the 2016 Fifa Club World Cup finals, also officiated at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup where he took some bold calls.
Shashank Nair: Poland and Mexico are level on points. They are level on goal difference. They were even level when they played each other to a 1-1 draw. What does this mean?
It triggers Fifa fair-play scenario where a team with fewer yellow cards in the group stage goes through to the next round in case of a tie. Poland has accumalated four yellow cards this tournament while Mexico has seven to their total team. As of now, Poland are going to the Round of 16 along with Argentina. One goal either way changes things once again
They're keeping slow possession and looking very assured.
Can't count them out from scoring another. Both Messi and De Paul have been brilliant in breaking the press on the half turn and starting attacks.
ARG 2-0 POL
What happens in this group if the scores remain the same? Poland goes through over Mexico on their fair play record. (FIND OUT MORE)
A free-for-all for the Argentines now.
Brilliant run from Alvarez, met by a well-executed through ball by Messi. The angle was tight, and he shot on the wrong side of the net.
ARG 2-0 POL
Szczesny denies him again. Latched onto a cutback in point blank range, denied by a solid save.
Should have scored.
ARG 2-0 POL
The goal was a result of what was arguably Argentina's best move of the day.
Started by Messi, who brilliantly got past two midfielders on the half turn and ran it out wide. Some great one, two-touch passing broke the ball to Alvarez. He took a few smart touches before shooting into the top corner.
ARG 2-0 POL
They are equal on points, goal difference, head-to-head, goals scored, and goals conceded now. Poland through on 'fair play record' - lesser yellow and red cards.
Tight.
ARG 2-0 POL
An emphatic finish from Julian Alvarez!
ARG 2-0 POL
Messi picks up the ball after a Poland error and glides past defenders to get a shot off. Eventually blocked.
The subsequent corner is taken shortly, and Scaloni's side keep control.
ARG 1-0 POL
Mexico's second goal will have them worried, and as they look equalise, there are spaces in behind their defence.
Another chance for Argentina as Messi grabs the ball in a deep are and finds Tagliafico, his cutback cross met by another late run into the box from Mac Allister. The shot is saved by Sczcezny.
ARG 1-0 POL