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Lionel Messi saved a penalty but Argentina booked their ticket to the knockout stage of the 2022 World Cup with a 2-0 win over Poland.
Alexis McAllister’s effort 60 seconds into the second half broke the deadlock, before Julián Álvarez’s superb curl shot secured the three points and Argentina progressed as Group C winners.
The opener came after Messi, Argentina’s all-time top goalscorer, had Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczecny save a penalty.
A stunning finish from Alvarez midway through the second half capped off an exciting evening for Argentina, who now take on Australia.
Poland advanced to the knockout stages by the skin of their teeth, qualifying on goal difference.
The other Group C game was an exciting affair, with Mexico beating Saudi Arabia 2-1, but victory was not enough for the Central American team and Poland will now play France in the last-16 on Sunday.
Not for the first time in his career, all the pressure was placed firmly on Messi’s door, with 35-year-old Diego Maradona making endless attempts to emerge from the long shadow he casts over the Argentina national team.
Messi, playing in his 999th professional match, looked for a challenge, troubling Poland from the opening minute.
While the Polish attack offered little throughout the game, Argentina turned up the pressure – and both Messi and left-back Marcos Acuña came close.
Argentina were given a great chance to break the deadlock when the video assistant referee ruled that Messi had been fouled by Wojciech Szczecny when he was struck in the face by the Polish goalkeeper’s swinging hand.
However, Messi’s penalty was well saved by Szczecny, who somehow beat the ball with one hand.
It was the crowning moment of a busy first half for Szczecin, who finished the opening 45 minutes with nine goals as Argentina piled on the pressure.
According to Opta Stats, the penalty save was Szczecny’s second goalkeeper of the tournament after Joel Bates for France against Brazil in 1986, and he became only the second goalkeeper since 1966 to save a penalty at the World Cup.
It took just under 60 seconds for Argentina to break the deadlock after the break.
A sliced cross from the right by Nahuel Molina fell at the feet of McAllister, whose volleyed effort managed to cross Szczecin and send Stadium 974 into delirium.
It was McAllister’s first international goal, and he continues his excellent year – he came into this World Cup as top scorer for his Premier League club, Brighton & Hove Albion this season.
He was seen comforting the Argentine players and fans inside the goal area. The temperament began to turn on as Messi, Alvarez and Angel Di Maria toyed with Poland’s defence.
Midway through the second half, Alvarez showed why he had been brought in for this game – he started the first two group games on the bench – curling home his first World Cup goal.
As Poland opened up as it attempted to force itself back into the game, more places opened up for Argentina, with Messi, Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez all coming close.
The conclusion of Group C must have been a sore watch for fans of Poland.
For a brief period during the match, Poland and Mexico were tied on goal difference. This meant that Poland was prepared to advance through its better disciplinary record.
With Poland fans frantically checking their phones to follow the proceedings and all eyes on whether any Polish players picked up a yellow card, there was one last twist in Wednesday’s proceedings.
This was aided by a 95th-minute goal from Salem Al Dawsari, which gave Poland a superior goal difference, ensuring their progress to the next stage.