RAS ABU ABOUD, Qatar — Argentina overcome Lionel MessiA missed penalty kick in the first half caused the match in the round of 16 of the World Cup team to meet Australia after ‘s goal Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez grip win 2-0 against Poland on Wednesday.
– 2022 FIFA World Cup: News and features | Schedule | squad
The win secured the top of Group C for Argentina, but despite their defeat, Poland made it to the knockout stages to meet France after going out Mexico on goal difference to finish second in the table.
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rapid response
1. Messi is saved by Argentina’s supporting cast
This could be one of the worst nights of Messi’s illustrious career: he watched the Polish goalkeeper successfully save the penalty Wojciech Szczesny and you can only imagine how miserable the Argentinian star would have been if his (probably) last shot at a World Cup ended because of his missed shot. For the first time, however, Messi must thank his teammates, rather than vice versa, for helping Argentina win to secure a place in the round of 16 and clash with Australia.
Messi won the first-half penalty in a dubious situation as a VAR review pointed to a clear foul by Szczesny, but justice was served when the Polish keeper made a save. However, in the face of any tension for the two-time world champion, Mac Allister scored the crucial opening goal in the first minute of the second half. With Argentina still wary of being caught by the Polish’s hammer-like punch, Alvarez finally made the game safe with a classy finish in the 67th minute to seal the victory.
Clearly, Messi remains Argentina’s key figure and he has been running the game for his team, constantly looking to create openings or shoot on goal. But this time, his young teammates shouldered the responsibility and showed that Argentina can win without their superstar getting on the scoresheet.
2. Poland is close to second place after a tense second half
There’s never been one Saudi Arabia The goal was enthusiastically celebrated by a group of Polish players, but Salem Al Dawsari’s injury-time goal for the Green Falcons in the 2-1 loss to Mexico was enough to confirm the group’s second place in Group C. Poland.
With Argentina winning 2-0 at 974 Stadium and Mexico leading 2-0 at Lusail Stadium in the final stages of the second half, Poland was caught between opposite approaches to Lionel Scaloni’s team. They could break and chase the equalizer to secure the top spot and a place in the next round, but in doing so they risk conceding a third goal, which would then put Mexico ahead. lead by goal difference in second place.
With everything on par with Mexico, Poland knew their superior discipline would be enough to get them through if no more goals were scored in both games, but it was a dangerous existence until when Saudi Arabia’s late goal. Seconds after the full-time of this match confirmed Poland’s defeat, their players celebrated reaching the round of 16 on the field.
3. Scaloni tinkering is Argentina’s big weakness
Argentina made it to the round of 16 as the winners of Group C despite the influence of coach Scaloni rather than because of it. The former Argentina midfielder ended the country’s long wait to achieve international success during his four years in charge by overseeing the 2021 Copa America title and he is also the creator of a 36-match streak. the team’s unbeaten run, only to be ended by Saudi Arabia in the Group C opener last week.
In Qatar, however, it’s a regular guessing game about which team Scaloni will pick, and no one can really say that they know which eleven teams will start any match. For Argentine players, that uncertainty can be anxiety-provoking and has no effect on consistency.
After the loss to Saudi, Scaloni made three of the four defenders and two midfielders, but after watching Argentina beat Mexico with those changes, he made four more games against Poland. Handing Manchester City’s Alvarez his first game in Qatar paid off with the striker scoring a crucial second goal against the Poles, but we’ll have to wait and see. Paulo Dybala and sometimes, Messi looks like he needs more support from those around him.
If Argentina win this World Cup, Scaloni needs to find a stable team quickly because if there is no rhythmic and consistent selection, it will work against them.
Player Rating
Poland: Wojciech Szczesny 7; Cash Matty 7, Kamil Glik 6, Jakub Kiwior 5, Bartosz Bereszynski 5; Grzegorz Krychowiak 6, Pierre Zielinski 6, Przemyslaw Frankowski 6, Krystian Bielik 6; Karol Swiderski 6, Robert lewandowski 6
Prep: Michael Skoras 6, Jakub Kaminsky 6, Damian Szymanski 6, Artur Jedrzejczyk 6, Krzysztof Piatek 6
Argentina: Emiliano Martinez 6; Nahuel Molina 7, Nicolas Otamendi 6, Cristian Romero 6; Rodrigo De Paul 6, Marcos Acuna 6, Alexis Mac Allister 8, Enzo Fernandez 7; Julian Alvarez 7, Lionel Messi 7, Angel Di Maria 6
Prep: Leandro Paredes 7, Nicolas Tagliafico 6, Lautaro Martinez 6, German Pezzella 6, Thiago Almada 6
Best and worst performers
BEST: Alexis Mac Allister, Argentina. The Brighton & Hove Albion The midfielder scored the crucial opener for Argentina, but he also provided the energy and space to break through the Polish backline. A big show.
BEST: Jakub Kiwior, Poland. All of Argentina’s most dangerous attacks were directed down the left wing of Poland, including a cross into the goal of Mac Allister. Kiwior left-back is the weak link of the Poles.
Highlights and remarkable moments
Messi may be GOAT, but Szczesny put on a GOAT performance on Wednesday.
Wojciech Szczesny tells everyone to calm down before saving Messi’s penalty pic.twitter.com/AIFA2wBQAe
– FC GAME (@ESPNFC) November 30, 2022
The moment that brought Argentina to the round of 16. We all expected Mac Allister to save the game Albicelestethe right?
THIS IS HERE 🔥
ARGENTINA LEAD UP pic.twitter.com/8uDkGnC5Tt
– FOX Football (@FOXSoccer) November 30, 2022
After the game: What players and coaches say
Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz said of what he told his players about receiving unnecessary yellow cards: “I told the players to avoid stupid cards. We were afraid that maybe one of the players would get a card. We told them not to talk to the referee, not to pull the shirt.”
Michniewicz: “Isn’t it? It’s too late, the prime minister is calling, I can’t pick up the phone.”
Key stats (provided by ESPN Stats & Information)
– Szczesny is the third goalkeeper to save two penalties in a World Cup (Brad Friedel said). USA 2002 and Jan Tomaszewski for Poland in 1974).
– Messi is the first player to save 2 penalties at the World Cup (excluding penalty shootouts).
– Alvarez’s third goal in the past five games for Argentina and the fourth of his international career.
– Poland entered the knockout round for the first time since 1986.
Next
Poland: The Poles made it through the group stage by the best margin, and their reward is a round of 16 game against defending champions France on Sunday at 10 a.m. ET.
Argentina: The Albiceleste topped Group C after starting the tournament with a loss to Saudi Arabia, and now takes on Australia on Saturday at 2pm ET.
