Poland and Argentina move on to World Cup knockout stages after late drama

Robert Lewandowski of Poland and Lionel Messi of Argentina compete for the ball during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Poland and Argentina.
Photo: AFP

Poland and Argentina have advanced to the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 after a dramatic final day of Group C action.

With the group poised on a knife edge, all four of Argentina, Poland, Saudi Arabia and Mexico were able to qualify for the next round.

Poland came into their match against Argentina sitting in top spot on four points.

Meanwhile, Argentina were sat in second place level with Saudi Arabia on three points, with Mexico sitting last on one point.

The Argentinians needed a win to secure a spot in the next round coming into this morning’s match against Poland.

A cagey first-half saw Argentina dominate on attack but Polish keeper Wojech Szczesny performed incredibly to deny them, including a spectacular penalty save against Lionel Messi.

Argentina moved up a gear in the second-half with Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister latching on to a cross into the box to curl an effort into the bottom left corner just a minute in.

As the half progressed, Poland failed to show any real attacking threat with captain Robert Lewandowski unable to make an impression on the match.

Young striker Julian Alvarez consolidated Argentina’s lead in the 67th minute, bringing down a dinked ball from Enzo Fernandez to smash a shot into the top right of the goal, deflecting off Szczesny’s glove on the way in.

Argentina’s talisman Lionel Messi remained a constant threat throughout the match with much of the play being dictated through his attacking prowess and playmaking instincts.

Las Albicelestes maintained their dominance in the second-half with several chances to make it three-nil squandered by both Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez.

When the final whistle blew it was Argentina who celebrated as they secured the top spot in Group C with six points from three games.

Argentina are now set to face Australia in the Round of 16 on Sunday 4 December at 8am.

Meanwhile, Poland were left with a nervous wait as the full-time score left them level with Mexico on points and goal difference.

Mexico started the day at the bottom of the group on just one point, while their opponents Saudi Arabia sat in third place on three points.

After a deadlocked first-half, Mexico showed great heart to fight their way back into touching distance of the Round of 16, scoring two quickfire in the first ten minutes of the second-half.

The first goal came through a corner, a ball whipped to the near-post was flicked on to striker Henry Martin who stuck out a foot to poke it into the back of the net.

The next goal came through an incredible free-kick struck perfectly by Luis Chavez, lifting it over the wall and the outstretching Saudi goalkeeper to make it two-nil.

With the scores set at 2-nil to Mexico and Argentina in their respective games, Mexico sat level with Poland on points and goal difference.

This meant if the scores stayed the same Poland would advance on the last resort FIFA fair play criteria as they had received less yellow cards than Mexico.

Mexico desperately hunted for another goal to put themselves ahead on goal difference, even managing to get one in the net only for it to be quickly disallowed for offisde.

Instead it was Saudi Arabia who had the last laugh, with Salem Al-Dawsari cooly scoring a last-gasp goal off a simple one-two pass in the 95th minute.

Heartbreak for Mexico but relief for Poland means the European side will meet France in the Round of 16 on Monday 5 December at 4am.