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Messi and Argentina have golden chance to top the group by beating Poland
Argentina to win 2-1
Tournament: FIFA World Cup 2022 | Venue: Ras Abu Aboud, Stadium 974
Bet NowArgentina and Poland picked up their first wins of this year’s World Cup, overcoming Mexico and Saudi Arabia in hard-fought clashes. They now find themselves occupying 1st and 2nd spot in Group C.
Argentina are a point behind Poland having lost their first game, but kickstarted their campaign with a Messi-inspired win over Mexico. They looked laboured for most of that game, but winning was all that mattered.
They now have the chance to top their group, which could prove vital in the Round of 16. Coming 2nd would probably mean facing world champions France. Finishing 1st would mean Australia, Denmark or Tunisia.
Poland, on paper at least, are in the driving seat entering this game. They have a point more than Argentina and only need a draw to guarantee their progression.
They could make it through even if they lose, but then rely on the result of the other game going in their favour.
The Poles will have boosted their confidence by beating Saudi Arabia and will prove to be stern opponents for Argentina here.
FIFA Ranking: 26
Predicted Finish: Round of 16
Reasons to be cheerful:
Only need a point to qualify
Lewandowski’s confidence will be sky-high after first World Cup goal
Reasons to be fearful:
Can they keep out Messi for 90 minutes?
Might have struggled if Saudi Arabia had scored their penalty
Poland ran out 2-0 winners in their second group fixture against Saudi Arabia, the team that beat Argentina we must not forget.
However, the Poles also had a scare of their own at the end of the first half, when Al Dawsari missed a penalty to make it 1-1 at half time.
Poland then went on, courtesy of Robert Lewandowski’s first-ever World Cup goal, to claim three points and set up a tasty finale with Argentina.
Here, they must keep things tight and frustrate their opponents. Argentina have struggled to break teams down at this tournament, and Poland would do well not to open things up for them.
Star Man – Robert Lewandowski
Alongside his first World Cup goal, Lewandowski also claimed an assist for the first goal. With him, Poland always have a chance but their service into him must be better.
FIFA Ranking: 3
Predicted Finish: Semi Finals
Reasons to be cheerful
Finally clicked into gear in the second half against Mexico
The likes of Enzo Fernandez and Julian Alvarez could claim starting spots
Reasons to be fearful
Still don’t look fluid in attack
Over-reliant on Messi magic
If we didn’t know it beforehand, Argentina are far too reliant on their little magician, Lionel Messi. Luckily for them, he showed up in the second half against Mexico.
A goal and an assist helped his country get across the line and set up a deciding clash against Poland, although it didn’t look likely at one stage.
In the first half against Mexico, they looked as slow and short of ideas as they did against Saudi Arabia. On the wings, Di Maria and Mac Allister were ineffectual, while De Paul and Rodriguez gave the ball away far too often.
The switched to a back three in the second half, which seemed to improve their organisation and control of the ball – it could be something they keep to here.
We may see Julian Alvarez come into the side, in addition to Enzo Fernandez who scored a beauty to make it 2-0.
Star Man – Leo Messi
His quality is without doubt. He always seems to turn on the magic when his team need him most and you wouldn’t bet against him doing more of the same here.
Argentina will edge possession
Messi to score or assist
Can Poland provide chances for Lewandowski?
If Argentina are to go on, as was expected before the tournament, and go deep into this World Cup, they need to start putting a run of form together.
If they can continue from where they left off against Mexico, they should have too much for this Poland side. The European nation has quality of its own, of course, but they will fear what happens when Messi has the ball.
There could be twists and turns along the way, but Argentina are favourites.
Argentina to win 2-1
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