The false start is completely forgotten. Argentina advances to the 1/8th finals as group winner. Messi nevertheless missed a penalty against Poland, but after the break Mac Allister and Alvarez made the difference. Poland also celebrated on the basis of the goal difference – although it was a card thriller for a long time – as the best second.
Poland-Argentina in a nutshell:
- Key moment: After a “foul” by Szczesny on Messi, the Argentina captain is awarded a penalty. The Polish goalkeeper corrects his mistake himself with a great save. Postponement, but no adjustment for Argentina, which can score after the break.
- Man of the Match: Messi shows at the age of 35 that he is still of a different level. His fellow players will have to tap into a different barrel in the following rounds if Argentina wants to get far at the World Cup.
- Striking statistic: 1 time Robert Lewandowski hit the ball in Argentina’s sixteen. The Polish top striker is of course a bit different from Bayern and Barça.
Messi leaves the 0-1 from the spot
The Argentines confidently started the fight for group profit “for their own people”. Soon Messi Szczesny tested twice, each time the Polish goalkeeper came out on top.
Left back Acuna, who was given a lot of space by the Poles, was also able to print once. His ball whizzed wide.
The Argentinians dominated the entire first half, but Messi and co. played real chances. not together either. Di Maria then tried with a direct corner, Szczesny did not feel like an Olympic goal from his teammate at Juve.
Just before the break, the game finally explodes. The broken through Alvarez did not get past Szczesny, after which he brought the ball in front of goal himself.
The Polish goalkeeper came out of his goal too wildly and hit Messi in the face. The Dutch referee went to look at the images and (surprisingly) pointed to the spot. Messi had the chance to kick Argentina ahead, but Szczesny himself corrected his “mistake”.
Mac Allister and Alvaraz give Argentina victory
No goals before the break, but immediately afterwards it was hit. Mac Allister, invisible in the first 45 minutes, was in the right place after barely one minute to slide a cross from Molina past the Polish goalkeeper with a bit of luck.
The deserved opening goal gave the Argentines some wings. The Poles first reacted via a dangerous header from Glik, but after that it was already dark blue what struck the clock.
First Mac Allister missed his second of the evening, after which Alvarez made it a little after the hour. He was well played by his peer Fernandez in the sixteen and hit the 0-2 hard in the cross.
Messi (on Szczesny), Alvarez (in the side net) and substitutes Lautaro (in front) and Tagliafico (lob from the line) could make it 0-3, but did not.
In the final phase, the Poles were more concerned with what was still happening in Saudi Arabia-Mexico. Two times 0-2, the yellow cards were looked at and on that basis Poland would advance to the eighth finals. It didn’t come to that in the end, as Al-Dawsari plunged the Mexicans into deep mourning in the added time.
Some reactions:
- Robert Lewandowski: “It was not a game for a goalscorer like me. Given our possibilities, qualifying for the round of 16 is already very good for Poland. No one will remember how we played today, we just have to be ready for the game against France.”
- Czeslaw Michniewicz: “We have suffered, but we have to see that as something positive. I am disappointed that we played so nervous today. But now is not the time to complain.”
- Alexis Mac Allister: “My goal was very emotional for me and for the whole team. We won and are very happy. To be a titular in this team is a dream come true. Now I also score… Tonight it was ours best match of the tournament so far, that gives us a lot of confidence for the next rounds. The missed penalty? We were not bothered by that, not Leo (Messi, ed.) And not the team.”
Argentina does not want to score the 0-3
Lautaro Martinez forgets to unwrap Polish gift
