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Without forcing, Argentina corrected Poland 2-0 on Wednesday to win first place in Group C. The Poles, for their part, trembled until the end of additional time in the match of Mexico, winner 2-1 from Saudi Arabia, but still qualified. They will face the French team on Sunday in the round of 16.
Poland came close to disaster. Corrected by an Argentina of Lionel Messi on the move (2-0), it only owes its maintenance in second place in Group C to the difference in goals compared to Mexico, winner 2-1 against Saudi Arabia.
Messi led his troops without scoring
“Messi! Messi! Messi!” The spectators at the 974 stadium in Doha are not mistaken, it is on the shoulders of the six-time Ballon d’Or that the Argentine game rests. It was he who launched hostilities by dribbling Cash and sending a firecracker towards the Polish goal, which Szczesny pushed back (10e).
Boosted, the Argentines try to find the fault. Molina overflows on the right side and crosses for Alvarez. The Mancunian sees his attempt repelled by the defense while Acuna’s shot misses (20e). Angel Di Maria tries to surprise Poland with a corner but Szczesny intervenes.
Lionel Messi then has the opportunity to put his selection to safety: after a long minute of consulting the VAR, the referee awards a penalty to the Argentine captain, hit by Szczesny on an outing. However, he fails to convert… or rather the Polish goalkeeper dismisses him by pushing back his second penalty in two matches (38e).
On returning from the locker room, you shouldn’t blink for fear of missing the opener. Di Maria combines right side with Molina. The latter sends a low cross to Mac Allister, who deceives Szczesny with a returning post (47e1-0).
Poland trembled to the end
While the other match of the group gets carried away, with the opener of the score of Mexico against Saudi Arabia, and threatens the qualification of Poland, Glik sounds the revolt. He sends an angry header from a corner but misses the target (49e). But the Albiceleste resumed their march forward and Mac Allister not far from a double (61e). However, it is Alvarez who has the honor of making the break. Served in the area by Enzo Fernandez, he sends a small wonder into the top corner (67e2-0).
Messi misses an easy match point on a parried shot (70e) and Alvarez narrowly misses a double (73e). Lewandowski is missing and it is Szczesny who keeps the Poles afloat, while at this moment in the match, Poland’s qualification depends only on the number of yellow cards received by Mexico. Argentina will no longer find the key to the goal, defender Kiwior saving a ball on the line.
Finally, while the few Polish supporters nervously scrutinize their mobile phones, a goal from Saudi Arabia frees Poland, which remains second in group C. They will challenge France in the round of 16 on Sunday while Argentina will play a place in quarters against Australia.
Mexico knocked out
Tied on points with the Poles, the Mexican players fail for one unit on goal difference. An infuriating fate for the “Tri”, as it dominated the meeting against Saudi Arabia. He only missed one goal for a long time against the “Green Falcons”, who finally failed in fourth place in Group C, far from their initial feat against Argentina (2-1).
In front of their boiling supporters, the Mexicans opened the scoring thanks to Henry Martin (48th), on the lookout after a deflection from Cesar Montes at the near post, in the wake of a corner. Luis Chavez then doubled the bet with a sublime free kick from 33 meters, timed at 76 km / h by Fifa. Lozano once thought of offering the precious sesame to his country by scoring (56th), as did Uriel Antuna a little later (88th), but their goals were canceled for offside positions.
A very late goal from captain Salem Al-Dawsari, after a one-two with Hatan Bahbri (90th+5), definitively buried the hopes of the “Tri”, whose players remained for several minutes after the final whistle on the lawn, hugging each other. Opposite, the players of Hervé Renard have never made the weight, and leave the competition after a glorious first attempt against Argentina, but without follow-up.
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