| Argentina vs Poland |
|---|
| SCHEDULE | TIME |
|---|---|
| GAME | Argentina vs Poland |
| DATE | 30/11/2022 |
| TIME | 12:30 AM (Indian Standard Time) |
| ARENA | Stadium 974 - Ras Abu Aboud |
| LEAGUE | FIFA World Cup 2022 |
| FULL TIME |
|---|
| Argentina [2-0] Poland |
Match Preview of Argentina vs Poland
Argentina will be looking to leapfrog Poland to the top of Group C and qualify for the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup when they do battle at Stadium 974 on Wednesday.
The two-time world champions currently sit level on three points with Saudi Arabia, just one point behind Poland at the summit heading into their final group fixture.
At the age of 34, Robert Lewandowski finally celebrated his first World Cup goal at the fifth time of asking as Poland secured a 2-0 victory against Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
After missing a penalty in the goalless draw with Mexico, the Barcelona striker redeemed himself when he capitalised on a defensive error to wrap up the points for the Eagles eight minutes from time, after Piotr Zielinski had opened the scoring on the stroke of half time.
Lewandowski said after the match that he has now 'fulfilled his dream' on the biggest international stage, but there is still unfinished business for both himself and his teammates, with Czeslaw Michniewicz's side bidding to reach the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time since 1986.
Poland's strengths at the back have been evident in Qatar, as they are one of only two nations who are yet to concede a goal after their first two group matches at the time of writing. Indeed, the Eagles have now kept a clean sheet in each of their last four internationals.
However, keeping Argentina quiet could prove challenging for Poland, as they have conceded in each of their 11 previous meetings with the two-time world champions. Their last encounter against La Albiceleste was successful, though, as they secured a 2-1 friendly win back in 2011.
Victory for Poland on Wednesday would secure top spot in Group C and guarantee their place in the last 16, while a draw could also be enough to finish at the summit if Saudi Arabia fail to beat Mexico. However, defeat will end their World Cup journey if Saudi Arabia claim maximum points.
Four days on from their shock 2-1 defeat against Saudi Arabia, Argentina boosted their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds courtesy of a crucial 2-0 victory against Mexico on Saturday.
After an underwhelming first-half showing, star man Lionel Messi stepped up when it mattered, with the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner breaking the deadlock in the 64th minute with a low-driven strike from outside the area, before setting up Enzo Fernandez in the closing stages to secure their first three points in Group C.
Our Predicted Lineups
Argentina possible starting lineup:Ochoa; Sanchez, Moreno, Montes, Gallardo; Herrera, Guardado, Chavez; Lozano, Jimenez, Vega
Poland possible starting lineup: starting lineup:Alowais; Abdulhamid, Al-Amri, Tambakti, Al-Ghannam; Kanno; Al-Buraikan, Al-Hassan, Al-Najei, Al-Dawsari; Al-Shehri
Who will win the match?
We say: Poland 1-2 Argentina. With the likely prospect of facing world champions France in the last 16 should either nation finish second in Group C, Poland and Argentina will both be determined to come out on the winning side on Wednesday. Poland have the potential to cause problems for Argentina and another upset cannot be discounted here, but if Messi and co can click in the final third, Scaloni's men should have the quality to edge past their European counterparts and secure top spot.