Defying expectations by sitting top of Group C, they now need just a point against Argentina to guarantee round-of-16 progression, while a win will see them top a group stage for the first time since 1982, a campaign which saw them finish third!
Poland
The good times are rolling for Poland after Robert Lewandowski netted his first World Cup goal in a 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Defying expectations by sitting top of Group C, they now need just a point against Argentina to guarantee round-of-16 progression, while a win will see them top a group stage for the first time since 1982, a campaign which saw them finish third! Such ambitions may require an improvement on the scoring front, as Poland have managed just four goals across their last six games. However, their frontline deficiencies have been disguised by a fierce defence that’s managed four clean sheets in a row. Another here would be historical, as Poland have never kept a shutout against Argentina in 11 previous matches.
Argentina
Some described Argentina’s 2-1 opening-matchday defeat to Saudi as the “greatest upset in World Cup history”, and despite bouncing back in a 2-0 victory over Mexico last time out, Argentina could face elimination unless they win here. The talismanic Lionel Messi provides Albiceleste fans with undying belief, however, and his long-range strike in their win on Saturday means he’s now the oldest and youngest player to both score and assist in a single World Cup game since 1966. With this likely to be Messi’s ‘last dance’ on the global stage, Argentina will hope they can make it out of the group and rekindle hopes of adding a first-ever World Cup title to his glittering trophy cabinet.
Another strong start may go some way to settling the nerves, with no side able to net first against Argentina since November 2020. Still, with dramatic upsets narrating a fascinating World Cup, we should perhaps expect this to be a tense affair regardless!
Wojciech Szczesny saved a penalty in Poland’s win over Saudi Arabia, meaning he’s now saved 11 penalties from the 34 he’s faced since the summer of 2017 – a whopping 32.35 per cent! He’ll face Juventus teammate Angel Di Maria, who has seen Argentina lose only once when he assisted or scored, though that was in the last World Cup. Since the 1970 edition, Argentina have had only one goalless draw in World Cup group-stage games. The youngest coach at a World Cup was Juan Tramutola, who was just 27 when he led Argentina in the 1930 edition.