27 November 2022
Saturday 26 November was a busy afternoon for the Bianconeri contingent at the World Cup in Qatar. After Weston McKennie had led the way the previous day in the USA's second game, it was Matchday 2 for Wojciech Szczęsny and Arkadiusz Milik with Poland, Adrien Rabiot with France and Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes with Argentina.
All three countries won and all four of Juve's five players that were involved played important roles in their respective country's victory.
POLAND 2-0 SAUDI ARABIA
Poland had Wojciech Szczęsny to thank for keeping them in the lead at the break against Saudi Arabia. Szczęsny saved Salem Al Dawsari's penalty before producing a sensational one-handed stop to prevent Mohammed Al Burayk on the rebound. The goalkeeper had already produced an excellent save in the opening minutes, palming Mohammed Kanno's ferocious drive over the crossbar, and maintained his inspirational performance in the second half with another fine stop, saving at the feet of Abdulhamid.
Wojciech has stopped all nine shots faced so far in Qatar and became the third goalkeeper to save a penalty and keep a clean sheet in the same match at the 2022 World Cup, after Belgium's Thibaut Courtois and Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa (in Matchday 1 against Poland).
At the other end of the pitch Arek Milik came close to a stunning goal but his diving header crashed off the crossbar on 66 minutes. Poland's goals came from Piotr Zielinksi on 39 minutes, with Poland's first shot of the match, and Robert Lewandowski on 82'.
FRANCE 2-1 DENMARK
Adrien Rabiot played the entire 90 minutes plus stoppages as France booked their place in the Round of 16. The midfielder came close to adding to his Matchday 1 goal with two attempts in the opening 20 minutes and a spectacular flying volley in the closing stages when France were pushing for a second goal, which arrived from Kylian Mbappé in the 86th minute. It was the second goal of the match for the PSG forward, his seventh in the World Cup - only Pele has scored more among players under 24.
ARGENTINA 2-0 MEXICO
Angel Di Maria played from kick-off in the victory over Mexico that kick started Argentina's World Cup campaign, while Leandro Paredes remained an unused substitute. El Fideo played the pass through for Lionel Messi to score the game's opening goal at the Lusail Stadium on 64'. The three points were secured when Enzo Fernandez struck a second goal with three minutes to play.
Group C sees Poland on top with four points followed by Argentina and Saudi Arabia on three. Mexico complete the table with one point. The Bianconeri 'derby' between Poland and Argentina on Wednesday 30 November will go a long way to deciding which teams make it to the Round of 32.
