Photo: Collected
Metropolis Desk-
Argentina stepped into Qatar to break the 36-year title drought. Although unbeaten in 36 consecutive games, the two-time world champions lost to Saudi Arabia in their first match, and their last sixteen fell into fear. But Albiceleste confirmed the last 16 as group champions by winning two consecutive games to eliminate all fears.
In the match against Poland, Lionel Scaloni’s disciples started playing mightily from the very beginning. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez spent the first half of the game at ease. Argentina’s attack kept Poland’s defense busy.
Despite repeated attacks, Argentina could not see the desired goal. In the 39th minute of the first half, Messi was fouled by the Poland goalkeeper in the D-box, and Argentina were awarded a penalty courtesy of VAR. But the world’s best footballer failed to score from there. All the credit should be given to the Polish goalkeeper.
Argentina and Poland went into the break goalless. Albiceleste got the desired goal after the break. In the 47th minute, Brighton midfielder Mac Allister gave the team a tremendous one-touch goal from Nahuel Molina’s pass.
Then in the 67th minute of the match, Man City striker Julian Alvarez doubled Argentina’s lead from Enzo Fernandez’s pass. In the do-or-die game against Poland, the coach trusted him and replaced Martinez in the XI. He took advantage of that opportunity.
After that, Argentina kept the Polish defense busy with attack after attack. They left the field with a 2-0 victory. In the knockout round, Argentina will face the runner-up of Group D, Australia. The match will be held next Saturday (December 3) at the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium at 1 am (Bangladesh time).
