FIFA World Cup - Group C
PolandPoland0ArgentinaArgentina2

World Cup 2022: Poland 0-2 Argentina - South Americans top group after dramatic night

By Phil McNultyChief football writer at Stadium 974 in Doha

Argentina completed the turnaround from the shock opening World Cup loss to Saudi Arabia by qualifying for the last 16 in impressive style against Poland - who went through on goal difference having finished level on points with Mexico.

Lionel Messi was the catalyst for the crucial win against Mexico that got Argentina's campaign back on track, and he was instrumental again as they illustrated why they were regarded as one of the tournament favourites to set up a second-round match against Australia.

Poland were set to progress by virtue of the Fifa Fair Play rule for having fewer yellow cards than Mexico - until Saudi Arabia pulled one back deep into stoppage time in their 2-1 loss to the Concacaf side. That meant goal difference was decisive for the Poles, who will next face France.

Argentina ran out comfortable winners with second-half goals from Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister and Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez, but the game still held real drama and jeopardy in the closing stages as Poland knew another goal conceded, or another goal for Mexico against the Saudis, would send them out on goals scored.

Argentina dominated throughout but had to wait until after the second half to make the breakthrough as Messi had a first-half penalty saved by Poland keeper Wojciech Szczesny after the pair collided in an aerial challenge, a harsh award after a video assistant referee consultation.

Mac Allister gave Argentina the lead they deserved when he swept home Nahuel Molina's cross a minute after the break and Alvarez sealed victory with a fine finish into the top corner in the 67th minute.

Impressive Argentina show class

Argentina's improvement continued as they produced their best performance of the World Cup to outclass a disappointing Poland.

The Argentines shook off the shock of that stunning loss to Saudi Arabia to settle their nerves with a Messi-inspired win against Mexico then stepped up to another level to confirm a last-16 game against Australia.

Messi's first-half penalty miss was a minor interruption on their path to victory as they held complete command of territory and possession against a passive Poland, especially given what was at stake.

Argentina keeper Emi Martinez did not have a moment of anxiety and once Mac Allister put them ahead the game was virtually over, Alvarez confirming it with a superb strike past the excellent Szczesny that hinted at his own rich potential.

Messi showed flashes of his mercurial best but this was a complete performance from Argentina who played with greater intensity and fire than they have so far.

They have taken their time to show why they are so highly regarded but produced plenty of evidence here to illustrate just how dangerous they will be in the knockout stage.

Passive Poland ride their luck

It was symbolic of this lacklustre Poland performance that their greatest show of passion all night came after the game had finished when they punched the air as news of Saudi Arabia's goal against Mexico that confirmed their place in the last 16 filtered down on to the pitch.

Poland's players revelled in the good tidings as they waved red and white flags on the pitch, barely able to believe they were through to face France.

They can consider themselves fortunate to be there after this poor performance in which they never troubled Argentina and the great striker Robert Lewandowski did not receive any service worthy of the name.

One exception to the mediocre fare from the rest of his colleagues was former Arsenal goalkeeper Szczesny, who was magnificent throughout, saving Messi's penalty and producing other stops in a faultless display.

Poland are through and enjoyed their celebration but they will have to step up several levels to trouble France.

Player of the match

Mac AllisterAlexis Mac Allister

with an average of 8.24

Poland

  1. Squad number1Player nameSzczesny
    Average rating

    7.80

  2. Squad number2Player nameCash
    Average rating

    7.06

  3. Squad number9Player nameLewandowski
    Average rating

    5.89

  4. Squad number15Player nameGlik
    Average rating

    5.66

  5. Squad number20Player nameZielinski
    Average rating

    5.62

  6. Squad number18Player nameBereszynski
    Average rating

    5.56

  7. Squad number6Player nameBielik
    Average rating

    5.56

  8. Squad number14Player nameKiwior
    Average rating

    5.32

  9. Squad number10Player nameKrychowiak
    Average rating

    5.27

  10. Squad number16Player nameSwiderski
    Average rating

    5.27

  11. Squad number24Player nameFrankowski
    Average rating

    5.17

  12. Squad number8Player nameSzymanski
    Average rating

    4.53

  13. Squad number13Player nameKaminski
    Average rating

    4.53

  14. Squad number26Player nameSkóras
    Average rating

    4.49

  15. Squad number3Player nameJedrzejczyk
    Average rating

    4.43

  16. Squad number23Player namePiatek
    Average rating

    4.19

Argentina

  1. Squad number20Player nameMac Allister
    Average rating

    8.24

  2. Squad number10Player nameMessi
    Average rating

    7.44

  3. Squad number9Player nameÁlvarez
    Average rating

    7.35

  4. Squad number23Player nameE Martínez
    Average rating

    6.88

  5. Squad number11Player nameDi María
    Average rating

    6.79

  6. Squad number24Player nameFernández
    Average rating

    6.71

  7. Squad number7Player nameDe Paul
    Average rating

    6.62

  8. Squad number13Player nameRomero
    Average rating

    6.57

  9. Squad number26Player nameMolina
    Average rating

    6.53

  10. Squad number19Player nameOtamendi
    Average rating

    6.40

  11. Squad number8Player nameAcuña
    Average rating

    6.31

  12. Squad number3Player nameTagliafico
    Average rating

    6.16

  13. Squad number5Player nameParedes
    Average rating

    6.06

  14. Squad number6Player namePezzella
    Average rating

    5.94

  15. Squad number16Player nameAlmada
    Average rating

    5.93

  16. Squad number22Player nameLa Martínez
    Average rating

    5.88

Line-ups

Poland

Formation 4-4-2

  • 1Szczesny
  • 2Cash
  • 15Glik
  • 14Kiwior
  • 18BereszynskiSubstituted forJedrzejczykat 72'minutes
  • 20Zielinski
  • 6BielikSubstituted forSzymanskiat 62'minutes
  • 10KrychowiakBooked at 78minsSubstituted forPiatekat 83'minutes
  • 24FrankowskiSubstituted forKaminskiat 45'minutes
  • 9Lewandowski
  • 16SwiderskiSubstituted forSkórasat 45'minutes

Substitutes

  • 3Jedrzejczyk
  • 4Wieteska
  • 5Bednarek
  • 7Milik
  • 8Szymanski
  • 11Grosicki
  • 12Skorupski
  • 13Kaminski
  • 17Zurkowski
  • 19Szymanski
  • 21Zalewski
  • 22Grabara
  • 23Piatek
  • 25Gumny
  • 26Skóras

Argentina

Formation 4-3-3

  • 23E Martínez
  • 26Molina
  • 13Romero
  • 19Otamendi
  • 8AcuñaBooked at 49minsSubstituted forTagliaficoat 59'minutes
  • 7De Paul
  • 24FernándezSubstituted forPezzellaat 79'minutes
  • 20Mac AllisterSubstituted forAlmadaat 84'minutes
  • 11Di MaríaSubstituted forParedesat 59'minutes
  • 10Messi
  • 9ÁlvarezSubstituted forLa Martínezat 79'minutes

Substitutes

  • 1Armani
  • 2Foyth
  • 3Tagliafico
  • 4Montiel
  • 5Paredes
  • 6Pezzella
  • 12Rulli
  • 14Palacios
  • 15Correa
  • 16Almada
  • 17Gómez
  • 18Rodríguez
  • 21Dybala
  • 22La Martínez
  • 25Li Martínez
Referee:
Danny Makkelie
Attendance:
44,089

Match Stats

Home TeamPolandAway TeamArgentina
Possession
Home27%
Away73%
Shots
Home4
Away23
Shots on Target
Home0
Away12
Corners
Home1
Away9
Fouls
Home6
Away11

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Poland 0, Argentina 2.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Poland 0, Argentina 2.

  3. Post update

    Lionel Messi (Argentina) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  4. Post update

    Foul by Robert Lewandowski (Poland).

  5. Post update

    Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Kamil Glik.

  6. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Nicolás Tagliafico (Argentina) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Thiago Almada.

  7. Post update

    Foul by Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina).

  8. Post update

    Piotr Zielinski (Poland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  9. Post update

    Attempt missed. Lautaro Martínez (Argentina) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left.

  10. Post update

    Foul by Leandro Paredes (Argentina).

  11. Post update

    Michal Skóras (Poland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  12. Substitution

    Substitution, Argentina. Thiago Almada replaces Alexis Mac Allister.

  13. Substitution

    Substitution, Poland. Krzysztof Piatek replaces Grzegorz Krychowiak.

  14. Substitution

    Substitution, Argentina. Lautaro Martínez replaces Julián Álvarez.

  15. Substitution

    Substitution, Argentina. Germán Pezzella replaces Enzo Fernández.

  16. Booking

    Grzegorz Krychowiak (Poland) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  17. Post update

    Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  18. Post update

    Foul by Grzegorz Krychowiak (Poland).

  19. Post update

    Attempt missed. Julián Álvarez (Argentina) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Lionel Messi with a through ball.

  20. Substitution

    Substitution, Poland. Artur Jedrzejczyk replaces Bartosz Bereszynski.

BBC Sport app banner

Get the latest results and goal notifications for any team at the Fifa World Cup by downloading the BBC Sport app: Appleexternal-link - Androidexternal-link - Amazonexternal-link

BBC Sport bannerBBC Sounds logo

Get your daily dose of Fifa World Cup reaction, debate & analysis with World Cup Daily on BBC Sounds

Comments

Join the conversation

These comments are now closed.

929 comments

As It Stood

A

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Netherlands32105147
2Senegal32015416
3Ecuador31114314
4Qatar300317-60

B

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1England32109277
2USA31202115
3Iran310247-33
4Wales301216-51

C

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Argentina32015236
2Poland31112204
3Mexico311123-14
4Saudi Arabia310235-23

D

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1France32016336
2Australia320134-16
3Tunisia31111104
4Denmark301213-21

E

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Spain21108174
2Japan21012203
3Costa Rica210117-63
4Germany201123-11

F

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Croatia21104134
2Morocco21102024
3Belgium210112-13
4Canada200215-40

G

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Brazil22003036
2Switzerland21011103
3Cameroon201134-11
4Serbia201135-21

H

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Portugal22005236
2Ghana21015503
3South Korea201123-11
4Uruguay201102-21
View full FIFA World Cup tables

Elsewhere on the BBC