01 December 2022
Leandro Paredes and Angel Di Maria against Wojciech Szczęsny and Arek Milik. Argentina took on Poland with qualification on the line.
At the end of an incredible evening, when also the events in the other Group C game between Saudi Arabia and Mexico played a decisive role, both Argentina and Poland celebrated qualification to the knock-out phase.
In the round of 16, Argentina face Australia on Saturday 3 December at 20:00 CET. Meanwhile, Poland take on defending champions France - who also played last night - on Sunday 4 December at 16:00 GMT.
ANGEL & LEO FINISH TOP
Di Maria started for the third successive match for Argentina only to be replaced by Juve teammate Paredes on 59 minutes. Then the score was 1-0 for the Albiceleste following the goal from Mac Allister in the first minute of the second half. Alvarez added a second for Argentina on 67 minutes. The winning margin would have been more if it had not been for another outstanding display by Szczęsny in the Poland goal.
SUPER TEK
Nine saves, including one from a Lionel Messi penalty before half time. Wojciech was instrumental in Poland's qualification to the last 16 because it was achieved on goal difference. Mexico defeated Saudi Arabia 2-1 to finish on four points, equal with Poland, and until stoppage time both Mexico and Poland were even not only on points but also on goal difference and goals scored - however, Poland would have still qualified because of their better fairplay ratio even if Saudi Arabia had not scored a late consolation.
Arek Milik remained an unusued substitute.
In the other match involving a Bianconero, in Group D between France and Tunisia, Didier Deschamps rested his starting XI including Adrien Rabiot. With Tunisia leading, Rabiot was brought on alongside Kylian Mbappé on 63'. Although France lost 1-0 they still topped the group after Australia defeated Denmark in the remaining Group D fixture.
