FIFA World Cup 2022: A team that lost because of Messi’s mistake, Argentina still beat Poland
FIFA World Cup 2022: Relax, football fans. Lionel Messi will be back on the World Cup stage at least once more. The Argentina great had a penalty saved but his side advanced to the last 16 with a 2-0 win over Poland on Wednesday (November 30) after second-half goals from Alexis McAllister and Julian Alvarez.
After one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history, losing 2-1 to Saudi Arabia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Argentina finished first in Group C. They will next play Australia. It was a surprise qualifier for the knockout stage.
Messi suddenly entered Saturday’s game in strong form in his last World Cup. “Now another World Cup begins.” “We will continue what we did today,” Messi said. As for Poland, it was ultimately a happy night too, as the team finished second in the group with a goal difference over Mexico and will next play defending champions France.
Messi failed to score a penalty for the second World Cup in a row after being hit in the face by Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. He blocked it by diving to his left. Messi’s kick in the 39th minute. I was very upset to miss the penalty.
But because of my mistake, our team came back strong. At the 44,000-seat Stadium 974, mostly waving flags and scarves and drums, the pro-Argentina crowd booed Messi and his team behind two goals and they didn’t stop after the penalty.
In moments, “Messi! Messi! Soon echoed around the stage, eager to hold their idol’s head high. And the roars were even louder at the start of the second half. First, a scruffy finish from Nahuel Molina’s cut-back from the right after Mac Allister’s goal gave Mexico the lead in the first minute.
And as soon as the news filters out. Against Saudi Arabia, it started the day in third place. Playing in Argentina’s record-tying 22nd World Cup game, Messi never stopped pushing forward and he made Poland feel all game with his dribbling ability and vision.
A 40-meter solo run saw him weave through three opponents before miskicking another as he took aim. The match was billed as a showdown between Messi and Poland striker Robert Lewandowski, arguably the best center-forward in the world, but it proved uneven.
If Messi played with us, if Robert played for Argentina, Robert would have scored five goals.’ Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz said. “Robert had to be helped. And the match was only played in our half.” Messi was not involved in any of the goals.
In the second, Enzo Fernandez fed a pass to Alvarez – who started ahead of regular striker Lautaro Martinez – and he took a touch before curling his shot into the top corner in the 67th minute. Things weren’t much better for Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, who made more daring changes by bringing in Alvarez, Fernandez, and Molina, and they were playing a part in the goals.
Mac Allister, meanwhile, did not start against Saudi Arabia and has added strength in midfield in the two games since. Suddenly, Argentina looked like a team entering the World Cup on a 36-match unbeaten run and one of the tournament favorites a year after winning Copa America.
