Argentina is still alive. In fact, Messi and co. grow and delivered their best game of the tournament against a poor Poland (0-2). The South Americans can already dream of a quarterfinal against the Netherlands or the US. Poland also remains in the tournament.
Key moment: Alexis Mac Allister, the Argentinian with Scottish and Irish roots, liberated his country by kicking in a pass from the back line immediately after the break.
Man of the match: Alex Mac Allister did more than just erase captain’s penalty miss: he co-ruled midfield with Fernandez.
We will also remember him: Julian Alvarez, Haaland’s stand-in at Man City, was surprisingly preferred to Lautaro Martinez and thanked him with one goal and a great match.
Oof. Lionel Messi, and with him all his admirers, does not have to give up his World Cup mission just yet. La Albiceleste beat Poland in a logical and deserved victory and will face Australia in the eighth finals. With the Netherlands or the US also following, a semi-final is realistic.
The goal that freed the Argentines against the Poles just after half-time came off the foot of Brighton player Alexis Mac Allister, son of an Argentine ex-international with Irish and Scottish blood in his veins.
The goal was absolutely liberating. Messi in particular breathed a sigh of relief. He could have had the exit on his conscience when a penalty kick was missed after more than half an hour. It happens to the best. Lewandowski also failed to get past goalkeeper Ochoa against Mexico. Messi even missed 22 percent of the penalties in his career.
It’s great how Szczesny stopped Messi’s hard penalty, the second this tournament for the goalie, but actually no more than fair. The penalty kick was at least debatable. Szczesny reached for a cross that Messi headed over. In doing so, he hit the head of the Argentinian God, when the ball was already gone. But if the VAR interferes, then a ref folds, also Dutchman Danny Makkelie.
Argentina did not deserve a penalty, but a goal. Poland showed no desire to win before the break, even though Bereszynski almost benefited from a rare carelessness by Argentina. While Lewandowski was wasting all alone in the front, the compact Polish block only wanted to keep the zero. So only half succeeded and owed it to Scrabble favorite Szczesny.
Already in the initial phase, he stopped a shot in Messi’s short corner. A wonderfully turning corner from Di Maria also landed on his fists. As were attempts by Man City striker Alvarez – who kept Lautaro Martinez on the bench. He got six just for the break between his posts. There should have been more if the Argentinian left back Acuña had put in his contact lenses.
After the lead, Poland showed a little more urge to move forward, but they were barely able to launch a full-fledged attack. Except on a game restart. Glik had the opportunity to equalize immediately after the 0-1, but he nodded wide.
However, it remained one-way traffic. The two youngsters in the base at Argentina gave Poland the fatal stab. Enzo Fernandez (21) bounced on to Julian Alvarez (22) and bingo: 0-3. Erling Haaland’s stand-in should have made it 0-3, but his deflection ended in the side net. Moments later, Lautaro Martinez was allowed off the bench. The fact that he only aimed well next to goal, suggests that he will not be in the base again soon. Poland in particular was delighted with it. Especially when a ball from Tagliafico was swept away in front of the line and the ref did not whistle a penalty for Szczesny who was sliding through. One more goal against almost meant their return ticket. Now the Poles can serve as cannon fodder for France in the next round.
**
Poland: Szczesny; Cash, Glik, Kiwior, Bereszynski (73′ Jedrzejczyk); Bielik (62′ Szymanski), Krychowiak (84′ Piatek), Zielinski; Frankowski (46′ Skoras); Swiderski (46′ Kaminski), Lewandowski
Argentina: E. Martinez; Molina, Otamendi, Romero, Acuña (60′ Tagliafico); MacAllister (84′ Almada), Fernandez (79′ Pezella); Di Maria (59′ Paredes), Messi, De Paul; Alvarez (79′ La. Martinez)
goals: 47’ MacAllister 0-1, 67’ Alvarez 0-2
Yellow cards: 49′ Acuña, 79′ Krychowiak
Referee: Danny Makkelie (Ned)
