Argentina through despite Messi miss, Poland squeeze in

‘Messi, Messi’ chant reverberated around Stadium 974 as the Argentine captain stepped up to take a penalty in the 39th minute. The left-footed spot kick was, however, saved expertly by Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, but the Messi chant only got louder. The Argentina fans had turned Doha into Buenos Aires with their rhythmic chant, occasionally banging their feet into the shipping containers, of which the Stadium 974 is made of.
After the opening game debacle against Saudi Arabia, the Group C game against Poland was a must-win for Argentina and one must have thought the fans of the two-time champions would have been nervous. On the contrary, there was an extra spring in their step. Their confidence was justified as Messi and his teammates reserved their best performance when they needed it the most. Messi’s penalty miss was the only negative mark in their comfortable 2-0 win over Poland as the Albiceleste sealed a last 16 clash against Australia thanks to second-half goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez.
Their six points from two wins – they also beat Mexico – ensured they topped the group and avoided Group D toppers and 2018 world champions France. Poland, who barely laid a glove on their opponents yesterday, also went through not before facing some anxious moments.
Poland were hanging on for their lives as Mexico had taken a 2-0 lead in another Group C game at the Lusail Stadium, with another Argentine goal sending them home.
They were only ahead of Mexico on FIFA fair play rules for having fewer yellow cards.
While Argentina came close on many occasions, Mexico themselves conceded in the closing stages as Polish players waited on the pitch to know their fate. Once the result was out, there was a huge sigh of relief from players even as a small pocket of Polish fans celebrated in the stadium.
Based on yesterday’s performance they would know they did not merit a place in the last 16 and with France coming next, Poland need to up their game.
It was all Argentina yesterday from the first minute as Messi pulled the strings. The 35-year-old, playing his fifth and most likely his last World Cup, was livewire as usual in his 22nd appearance at the football showpiece, which got past great Diego Maradona’s 21-game tally.
Messi went close in the first 15 minutes, forcing Szczesny into a couple of saves. The one shot from the left angle, where he beat a couple of Polish defenders with ease, showed Messi was in the mood today.
Argentina was awarded a penalty when Messi was adjudged to have brought down by Szczesny, while going for a header. The decision – after the referee looked at the pitch-side VAR monitor – looked harsh and justice was served when Szczesny guessed his right and blocked Messi’s kick. Lionel Scaloni’s men didn’t have to wait long for a breakthrough when the second half resumed. With just one minute in, Mac Allister’s feeble connection off Nahuel Molina’s cross trickled into the net as Szczesny was finally beaten.
With their noses in front, Argentina grew in confidence as they camped in Poland half. The second goal came not far away with Enzo Fernandez’s perfect pass finding Alvarez, who smashed it into the top corner.
“We went out there thinking we had to win,” said Messi after the game. “The game against Australia will be difficult - anyone can beat anyone. It’s very even, we have to prepare for the game in the best way, as always. I’m angry at missing that penalty but the team came out stronger after my mistake,” he said.
Poland’s lynchpin Robert Lewandowski, who has 18 goals in 19 games for Barca this season, was left frustrated throughout the game as he did not have a single attempt on goal as his team sat back from the first whistle and rarely tested Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
If not for, Poland would have been gone home as Juventus keeper made couple of fines and take his team into the last-16 for the first time since 1986.
“It was not a match for a striker but I knew it would be like this,” Lewandowski said. “For me, for the Poland team, given the possibilities we have, it was a success.
“No-one will remember what this match was like - we will just be getting ready for France.”