FIFA WORLD CUP: ALL EYES ON MESSI AND ARGENTINA AS ROUND OF 16 QUALIFICATION BECKONS

At the Lusail Stadium, a record World Cup crowd in 28 years watched every move Lionel Messi made with 88,966 pairs of eyes fixated on one player. Messi unexpectedly awoke from his coma, searching for the joy his game typically offers, and helped Argentina’s World Cup run get back on track by scoring and then providing an assist.

But if Mexico and Saudi Arabia also draw, a victory over Poland is still necessary, and a draw can well be sufficient. “We have not yet taken any action. Argentine boss Lionel Scaloni appears to understand the threat the Poles pose. “A slip-up like the one the other day may stain anything,” he says.

A decisive victory might guarantee first place in Group C and keep France out of Argentina’s way in the round of 16. Four years prior, two goals from Kylian Mbappe helped Les Bleus defeat La Albiceleste 4-3 in the same stage. Poland will advance with a draw if they perform well. Additionally, the Argentines, who were exposed by Saudi Arabia’s nimble moves in the opening game, must exercise particular caution when tackling Robert Lewandowski, the new Barcelona pivot. Another concern will be the Dutchman Pol van Boekel’s presence in the VAR console, who disallowed three Argentine goals for offside against the Saudis. Poland is anticipated to have a similar highline.

In Qatar 2022, Saudi Arabia may advance to the knockout rounds for the first time if it defeats Mexico; if Poland defeats Argentina and sends Messi home early, a draw will also do. Poland (4 points, +2 goal differential) and the Asian giant (3 points, -1 goal differential) will have a goal difference in play if Argentina wins and Saudi Arabia draws, but Mexico must win to have any chance of adding to its record of making it past the group stage in the previous seven World Cups.

Only a defeat to Tunisia and an impressive victory for Australia over Denmark can prevent France from taking first place in Group D. The brilliant replacement for Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante by Didier Deschamps has been a reborn Antoine Griezmann, who is now a carrier forward and a marker.

Only a victory will keep Tunisia in the running, and even then, the Danes must at least draw with the Australians. In the other match, the Danes will need to win, while Australia may only need a draw—unless, of course, the Tunisian players surprise the French—to advance.