Izuchukwu Okosi
Argentina on Wednesday beat Poland 2-0 in their final 2022 World Cup Group C match to advance to the knockout stage where they will face Australia on Saturday night.
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Argentina, desperate for their first FIFA World Cup title since 1986, topped the standings with six points after a disappointing start to the tournament while Poland were awaiting the outcome of the other group game between Saudi Arabia and Mexico to see if they would come second and also qualify despite the loss.
Brighton and Hoves midfielder Alexis MacAllister put the Albeceleste ahead straight after the break with a low first-time shot after a flowing passing move, while Manchester City starlet Julian Alvarez shot past Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny in the 67th minute to make it 2-0.
In the first half, Szczesny was Poland’s hero as he made a diving stretch save to deny Messi a penalty, awarded after his outstretched hand made contact with the Argentine striker’s face.
The brave save was the Polish keeper’s second from 12 yards in the World Cup so far.
Meanwhile Saudi Arabia which shocked Argentina with the famed win in the first game of Group C failed to make it to the World Cup round of 16 after losing 2-1 to Mexico, who also bowed out due to an inferior goal difference to Poland.
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Australia players celebrated their win wildly but were left crestfallen when news came from the other game that Argentina and Poland advanced to the round of 16 stage after the Poles lost 2-0.
One more goal to make it a 3-0 win for the South Americans could have benefitted Australia.
Henry Martin and Luis Chaves each scored in Mexico’s furious attempt to stay alive at the World Cup, but the victory Wednesday night over Saudi Arabia was not enough.
Chaves’ goal was from a superb, curling free kick which is already a contender for goal of the tournament.
Wednesday’s heartbreaking exit meant Mexico failed to advance out of its group for the first time since 1978 when Argentina hosted the World Cup.
El Tri as the Mexico national team is called had reached the round of 16 at the last seven World Cups, which was tied with Brazil for the longest current streak.
The North American side went into the match at Lusail Stadium needing both a victory and help from Poland playing across town against Argentina to advance in Group C.
Argentina’s victory meant goal difference came into play.
Martin scored in the 48th minute to give El Tri hope, and the team’s chances got even better with the Luis Chavez’s goal from the free kick four minutes later.
Mexico tried desperately in the final 20 minutes to get another goal — including an effort by Uriel Antuna in the 87th minute that was ruled offside — but came up short.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
