Poland currently lead Group C with four points, followed by Argentina and Saudi Arabia with three points each, while Mexico have only one point. Argentina’s confidence, however, is not only back after the 2-0 win over Mexico, it’s actually very high. There was cheering in the dressing room, as if the climb had already been made.
In the group, the knockout phase is just as much an issue for all four teams as a bitter end. In Saudi Arabia versus Mexico, the winner could still slip past Argentina should they slip against Poland. In any case, the East Europeans have not conceded a goal for almost 400 minutes, as goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny recently saved a penalty against the Saudis.
“A game the whole world has been waiting for,” it is for Poland national coach Czeslaw Michniewicz. “But Poland is playing Argentina and not Robert against Leo.” Qatar will probably be the last World Cup for two-time world footballer Lewandowski (34) and six-time world footballer Messi (35). They want to prove their worth once again. While the now-Barcelona striker was moved to tears by his first World Cup goal against the Arabs, the former Catalans superstar shot up the all-important lead against Mexico. In any case, with his 22nd World Cup game at Doha’s Stadium 974, Messi will overtake Diego Maradona.
FIFA World Cup 2022, Group C
8 p.m., live on ORF1
Poland – Argentina
Doha, Stadium 974, SR Makkelie (NED)
Possible lineups:
Poland: Szczesny – Cash, Glik, Kiwior, Bereszynski – Zielinski, Krychowiak, Bielik, Frankowski – Milik, Lewandowski
Argentina: E. Martinez – Montiel, Li. Martinez, Otamendi, Acuna – Mac Allister, Rodriguez, De Paul – Di Maria, Messi, La. Martinez
Argentina’s hopefuls and his team have already come through the first pressure situation after the embarrassment against the Saudis at the start of the World Cup. “We had to give everyone peace of mind so that we could play the game against Poland in a different way,” Messi said after the recent win. Secretly, the reigning Copa America winners’ camp seems to be secretly expecting Mexico to win their final group game. A 0-0 would be enough for Argentina if the Central Americans didn’t win by more than two goals.
Eyes on Messi and Lewandowski
“It will be difficult against Poland – that’s the reality,” said Argentina team boss Lionel Scaloni. But he wanted to exude optimism. “I’m not saying we want to win. I say we’ll win.” Scaloni didn’t want to draw comparisons between the two star attackers. “That’s no use.” When asked who is better, Michniewicz said: “Messi is a fabulous player, just like Robert.”
Lewandowski has 77 goals in 136 games for his home country, while Messi has 93 goals after 167 games for Argentina. A certain rivalry between the two stars from South America has been fueled in recent days. The sports newspaper “Ole” published the “history of a rivalry that the Pole provoked”, which now gets its “World Cup chapter”. The alleged dispute began when Lewandowski was named world footballer for the second time in a row in mid-January. Messi, who was eligible to vote as Argentina captain, did not vote for the Pole, who was still playing for Bayern Munich at the time.
Lewandowski has already dismissed questions from an Argentine journalist in Qatar. “Everything is fine between me and Messi. I don’t have anything against him, I never did,” he said. A dispute between the two attackers seems to have been cooked up in the media. Messi and Lewandowski are known neither as big talkers nor as conflict types.
Saudi Arabia waves World Cup coup
In the parallel game of Group C, however, Saudi Arabia beckons the greatest sporting success on the big football stage in a long time. A draw against Mexico could be enough for the underdogs to make it into the last 16 of the World Cup for the second time in history. “El Tri” is hoping for a turnaround. With a win – if possible with at least three goals difference – the Mexicans could still make it up. The eyes should therefore also be on the parallel game between Poland and Argentina, since the goal difference counts in the end, the promotion race could become a heart-stopping final.
FIFA World Cup 2022, Group C
8 p.m
Saudi Arabia – Mexico
Lusail, Lusail Iconic Stadium, SR Oliver (ENG)
Possible lineups:
Saudi Arabian: al-Uwais – Abdulhamid, al-Amri, al-Bulaihi, al-Baraik – al-Nadschai, Kanno, al-Abid, S. al-Dawsari – al-Buraikan, al-Schahri
Mexico: Ochoa – Sanchez, Moreno, Montes, Gallardo – Herrera, Guardado, Chavez – Lozano, Martin, Vega
In 1994 in the USA, the Saudis were already in the round of 16 when they made their World Cup debut. In the editions that followed, there were sometimes the whipping boys, such as the 0:8 against Germany in 2008 or a 0:5 against Russia four years ago. Now everything should be different. “Nobody thought it was possible that we could operate at this level,” stressed French team boss Herve Renard recently.
His team can look forward to support from the ranks again. Thousands of fans attended the first two appearances in Qatar. You need support “to make history,” Renard appealed to his followers.
Mexico wants to seize the opportunity
Mexico faces a little-known shame. The Central Americans have held at least seven consecutive World Cups since 1982, in which they have made it into the top 16. Number eight is still possible. To do that, however, they would have to score once, which has not yet happened in Qatar. If Poland and Argentina draw, the Mexicans need a win by three goals. An offensive orientation is announced.
“As long as there is a chance, we will try to take it,” said Argentina team boss Gerardo “Tata” Martino. Saudi Arabia must also play for victory “like us”. Mexico have never lost to the Saudis in five matches, including a 5-0 and 5-1 win at the FIFA Confederations Cup. Captain Andres Guardado reported fit contrary to media reports to the contrary. The 36-year-old midfielder had pulled a thigh strain, it was initially said. However, Guardado promptly appeared at the press conference and said: “We believe in our chance.”
