Messi and Argentina Advance as Mexico Is Eliminated

[{"selector":"#anim-eec92eab-f067-40e2-958b-3b571ce12863","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-91.77331%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .8, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-784dda7e-0a52-4cf8-8bbc-18fb94757586","keyframes":{"transform":["rotateZ(-180deg)","rotateZ(0deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .5, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] By: Rakesh Muwal Image Credit: Google

Argentina defeated Poland 2-0 to go to the knockout round of the 2022 World Cup despite Lionel Messi having a penalty saved.

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Sixty seconds into the second half, Alexis Mac Allister's errant attempt broke the tie before Julián Lvarez's magnificent curled strike gave Argentina the three points and advanced as Group C victors.

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Argentina's all-time leading scorer Messi saw his penalty saved by Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczsny before Argentina's first goal.

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A thrilling evening for Argentina, who will now take on Australia, was rounded off by Alvarez's magnificent finish midway through the second half.

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By a hair's breadth, Poland qualified for the knockout rounds based on goal differential. In the other Group C match, Mexico defeated Saudi Arabia 2-1 in an exciting contest.

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Mexico defeated Saudi Arabia 2-1 in the other Group C game, but the Central American team's victory wasn't enough, and Poland will now face France in a round of 16 encounter on Sunday.

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Argentina increased the pressure, with both Messi and left-back Marcos Acua coming close, while the Polish assault provided little nothing throughout the game.

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When the video assistance referee ruled that Messi had been fouled by Wojciech Szczsny when he was struck in the face by the Polish goalkeeper's flailing hand,

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Messi's penalty, though, was wonderfully saved by Szczsny, who managed to knock the ball away with one hand.

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