Match ends, Poland 0, Argentina 2.
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.
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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
Poland
Avg
- Squad number1Player nameSzczesnyAverage rating
7.80
- Squad number2Player nameCashAverage rating
7.06
- Squad number9Player nameLewandowskiAverage rating
5.89
- Squad number15Player nameGlikAverage rating
5.66
- Squad number20Player nameZielinskiAverage rating
5.62
- Squad number18Player nameBereszynskiAverage rating
5.56
- Squad number6Player nameBielikAverage rating
5.56
- Squad number14Player nameKiwiorAverage rating
5.32
- Squad number10Player nameKrychowiakAverage rating
5.27
- Squad number16Player nameSwiderskiAverage rating
5.27
- Squad number24Player nameFrankowskiAverage rating
5.17
- Squad number8Player nameSzymanskiAverage rating
4.53
- Squad number13Player nameKaminskiAverage rating
4.53
- Squad number26Player nameSkórasAverage rating
4.49
- Squad number3Player nameJedrzejczykAverage rating
4.43
- Squad number23Player namePiatekAverage rating
4.19
Argentina
Avg
- Squad number20Player nameMac AllisterAverage rating
8.24
- Squad number10Player nameMessiAverage rating
7.44
- Squad number9Player nameÁlvarezAverage rating
7.35
- Squad number23Player nameE MartínezAverage rating
6.88
- Squad number11Player nameDi MaríaAverage rating
6.79
- Squad number24Player nameFernándezAverage rating
6.71
- Squad number7Player nameDe PaulAverage rating
6.62
- Squad number13Player nameRomeroAverage rating
6.57
- Squad number26Player nameMolinaAverage rating
6.53
- Squad number19Player nameOtamendiAverage rating
6.40
- Squad number8Player nameAcuñaAverage rating
6.31
- Squad number3Player nameTagliaficoAverage rating
6.16
- Squad number5Player nameParedesAverage rating
6.06
- Squad number6Player namePezzellaAverage rating
5.94
- Squad number16Player nameAlmadaAverage rating
5.93
- Squad number22Player nameLa MartínezAverage 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
- Possession
- Home27%
- Away73%
- Shots
- Home4
- Away23
- Shots on Target
- Home0
- Away12
- Corners
- Home1
- Away9
- Fouls
- Home6
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Poland 0, Argentina 2.
Post update
Lionel Messi (Argentina) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Robert Lewandowski (Poland).
Post update
Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Kamil Glik.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Nicolás Tagliafico (Argentina) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Thiago Almada.
Post update
Foul by Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina).
Post update
Piotr Zielinski (Poland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Lautaro Martínez (Argentina) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left.
Post update
Foul by Leandro Paredes (Argentina).
Post update
Michal Skóras (Poland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Argentina. Thiago Almada replaces Alexis Mac Allister.
Substitution
Substitution, Poland. Krzysztof Piatek replaces Grzegorz Krychowiak.
Substitution
Substitution, Argentina. Lautaro Martínez replaces Julián Álvarez.
Substitution
Substitution, Argentina. Germán Pezzella replaces Enzo Fernández.
Booking
Grzegorz Krychowiak (Poland) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Grzegorz Krychowiak (Poland).
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.
Substitution
Substitution, Poland. Artur Jedrzejczyk replaces Bartosz Bereszynski.
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Comments
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Never a Penalty in a million years.
Shocking decision.
Ludicrous descision, to say the least.
All VAR officials need to go to Specsavers, and that ref too!
Wondering if they're determined to get Argentina through to the final?
As far as result , glad that Poland got through after clearly being cheated by Messi.
I used to admire messi but the tax frauds iand blatant cheating have tarred a truly once special footballer.
Serves Mexico right for their lack of endeavour in the first two matches... as for Poland... I hope France do their worst...
Shocking penalty decision.
Absolutely shocking commentary. The Saudi goal did not matter. If Mexico had won 3-0 or 3-1 they would have gone through (goals scored being the tie breaker).
Not a clue - if Mexico needed 2 then the ending would not have been as frantic.
At least it filled the gap for spurs fans during the world cup break