Lionel Messi's penalty miss no issue as Argentina assumed top spot after final Group C games while Poland secured round of 16 ticket despite defeat

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Argentina, as expected are through to the next round of the FIFA World Cup following a 2-0 win over Poland, showing they have completely put behind the defeat to Saudi Arabia in their first game of the tournament.


Second half goal from Alexis McAllister and Julian Alvarez are enough to conquer The Poles, who were kept in the game in the first half by Goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny, saving a Lionel Messi penalty with half time approaching.

Argentina were ahead just one minute after the restart as Messi laid the ball for Nahuel Molina done the right flank. The Atletico Madrid send a square ball into the area and Alexis McAllister was first to it, firing a low shot beyond the reach of Szczesny for the first goal conceded by Poland in this competition.

Seven minutes after the hour mark, Julian Alvarez makes it 2-0 following a pass from Enzo Fernandez. The striker hold of his marker before planting a brilliant effort into the top corner, leaving Szczesny no chance as Argentina run out 2-0 winners, making it six points, which was enough to finish as Group C winner.

Poland, despite their loss on the night booked their place in the next round as runner up as a result of Mexico's 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia, which means the European nation progress on goal difference.

A disappointing evening for Mexico, who earned their first win of the competition and have to bid farewell to Qatar at full time.

After the first half ended goalless with Gerardo Martino’s side doing everything good but put the ball in the back of the net, they took the lead two minutes after the restart, Henry Martin was positioned to bundle home a Cesar Montes’ flick on from a corner.

The lead was doubled via a spectacular free-kick from Luis Chaves five minutes later. The Chaves midfielder with one of the goals of the competition so far, as his free-kick from way out beat Saudi Arabia Goalkeeper, Mohammed Al Owais.

Despite the Goalkeeper making eight brilliant stops in the game, he stood no chance against Chaves’ effort but was equal to another effort from the Mexican midfielder minutes later to keep the score at 2-0.

Salem Al Dawsari scored his second goal of the FIFA World Cup finals deep into injury time to end Mexico's hopes of reaching the next round as ir finished 2-1 in favour of Mexico but both team exit the competition.

Argentina faces Australia, who surprisingly defeated Denmark to reach the round of 16 while awaiting Poland is defending Champions, France.



Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi

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