After a disastrous World Cup debut, in which it lost 2-1 to minnows Saudi Arabia (in what was the biggest upset in the history of the tournament), Argentina entered do-or-die mode in their two remaining group matches.
Despite not showing the same football quality of recent months, the team led by star Lionel Messi showed resilience, improved from game to game, and managed wins against Mexico and Poland to finish first in Group C.
In the group-stage closer against Poland, Messi became the Argentinian player with the single highest number of World Cup appearances for the Albiceleste, racking up 22 games since debuting in 2006. While he didn’t score in Stadium 974 and lost a penalty, few would argue that without him, the two-time champions might well be packing home.
It was Argentina’s best game in Qatar. Still, the team invited drama to its fate. Messi wasted a penalty kick in the 38th minute, as Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny deflected the ball to the corner.
By half-time, it seemed that no matter what Argentina would bring, Szczesny would stop them. But at the start of the second half Alexis Mac Allister sneaked a shot inside Szczesny’s right post for 1-0.
From that point on, Poland became spectators to the Argentinian team. In the 67th minute, Julián Álvarez increased the South Americans’ lead.
Despite boasting one of the world’s best strikers in Robert Lewandowski, Poland have been poor throughout Group C. At 2-0 down, they merely sought not to concede further, instead of pushing for a goal of their own.
Fortunately for them, Mexico were unable to undo their goal difference disadvantage in the group’s other match, against Saudi Arabia. Poland now march on to the last 16, where they will play defending champions France.
By winning its group, Argentina avoids France and will play Australia on Saturday instead — a much more palatable opponent.
The last time Argentina debuted in the World Cup with a shocking defeat was in 1990, with a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon. Diego Maradona then took the Albiceleste to the final despite playing on a bad ankle. Argentinians hope lightning will strike twice.
If that happens, Messi will become the player with the most World Cup matches in history. And will fuel the debate on whether he can outrank Maradona as the greatest Argentinian to ever have played the sport.
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