The FIFA World Cup group stages are wrapping up and it is all to play for in Group C.
Few would have foreseen this particular group having its top two spots up for grabs heading into the third and final round of matches.
Pre-tournament favourites Argentina suffered a slow start with that hiccup against Saudi Arabia, but the South Americans won their last game versus Mexico, 2-0, to get their World Cup campaign up and running.
Lionel Messi broke the deadlock after the hour mark at the Lusail Stadium, a low driven shot rifled past Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa into the bottom corner of the net, before substitute Enzo Fernandez sealed victory in the closing stages of the contest.
That was Messi’s second goal at Qatar 2022 and his eighth overall at the World Cup finals, taking him level with countryman Diego Maradona. The 35-year-old is also the first Argentine player to score at four World Cup tournaments.
1 – Lionel Messi is now both the youngest (18y 357d vs Serbia in 2006) and the oldest (35y 155d vs Mexico today) player to both score and assist in a single World Cup game since the start of the 1966 tournament. Longevity. pic.twitter.com/e6Ak6fmI8l
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 26, 2022
Currently, La Albiceleste occupy 2nd place in Group C as they take on group leaders Poland on Wednesday. The Polish are top with four points following a goalless draw with Mexico and a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia.
As it stands, any two of the four teams can reach the knockouts.
A winner between Poland or Argentina would see them progress as group winners. A draw is enough for Poland to qualify for the last-16, while the corresponding group game between Saudi Arabia and Mexico would ultimately decide the final standings.
Defeat to Poland would put Argentina in danger of exiting from the groups for the first time since 2002.
The Saudis are level with Argentina on 3 points and they could advance with victory over Mexico. A draw would be enough in the event Argentina lose to Poland.
Bottom of the group on 1 point, Mexico desperately need to be on the winning side as well as to overturn their -2 goal differential.
The last time Argentina and Poland met at the World Cup was in 1978, when the South Americans ran out 2-0 winners on their way to celebrating a maiden World Cup success.
Both games kick off simultaneously at 22H00 local time (19H00 GMT).
The bookies have Argentina as the overwhelming favourites, 1.40 to win; Poland are 9.00 to win; 4.33 for a draw. Lionel Messi is 3.50 to score the first goal, or 3.50 to score anytime. Robert Lewandowski is at 10.00 for the first goal, or 4.75 for a goal anytime. (Bet365)
In the other game, Mexico (1.65) are largely expected to overcome Saudi Arabia (5.00), with 4.20 odds for a draw. (Bet365)
