Argentina, Poland Progress To World Cup Last 16; Mexico, Saudi Arabia Bow Out
NDTV
Lionel Messi's Argentina beat Poland 2-0 on Wednesday to top World Cup Group C and reach the last 16 as the Poles also progressed on goal difference.
Lionel Messi had a penalty saved but Argentina still advanced to the last 16 of the World Cup as Group C winners after a 2-0 victory over Poland on Wednesday. Poland also went through as runners-up although a 2-1 win for Mexico over Saudi Arabia in the group's other game meant Czeslaw Michniewicz's side advanced only on goal difference. Alexis Mac Allister's 46th-minute goal settled Argentina's nerves after a tense first half, before Julian Alvarez doubled their lead just over 20 minutes later. Argentina had been unable to find a way past Wojciech Szczesny in an opening 45 minutes in which the Poland goalkeeper saved his second penalty of the tournament.
Szczesny was adjudged to have fouled Messi while stretching to reach a cross, but he dived to his left to beat away the resulting spot-kick.
It was the 31st penalty Messi had failed to convert in his career.
Poland offered little attacking threat, with star striker Robert Lewandowski virtually anonymous throughout.
Instead it was left to Szczesny to take centre stage for the Poles, denying Messi with two crucial early stops.
