MESSI AND LEWANDOWSKI'S WORLD CUP HOPES ARE IN JEOPARDY

The fate of Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski is at stake in the match between Argentina and Poland. There is a possibility that either one of two of the biggest stars of European club football could fail to qualify for the knockout stages in Qatar and end their careers without experiencing the glory of the most prestigious tournament in the world. Argentina was stunned by Saudi Arabia in their opening game, but Messi already has two goals to help the Albiceleste out of Group C. Messi will try to emulate Diego Maradona and win the World Cup for Argentina in his last attempt to emulate the great Diego Maradona.

Only a victory will guarantee that 35-year-old Messi's Qatar campaign will continue into December as Argentina beat Mexico 2-0 to salvage their campaign and finish second. They are level on three points with the Saudis and one point behind the leaders Poland, and only a win will ensure that Argentina continues their campaign into December. There would be a worldwide army of Messi fans desperate to see him win the World Cup if Argentina were to exit the competition. Coach Lionel Scaloni believes that such histrionics are unnecessary, as it would also be a fitting conclusion to the career of one of the greatest football players of all time.

After his side defeated Mexico to regain momentum in their challenge, he said, "It is hard to convince people the sun will rise tomorrow, win or lose." After fulfilling his childhood dream of scoring his first goal, Lewandowski was brought to tears. The Barcelona forward realizes that if the Poles exit the tournament on Wednesday, he will not have another chance at this stage. The goal came in his fifth match at the World Cup, a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia. It may be my last World Cup, and I wanted to be able to say that I have played and scored at one," said the 34-year-old. As Poland will advance with a win or a draw, Lewandowski is a better bet to make the last 16 as even if they lose, they can still be knocked out if Saudi Arabia defeats Mexico. Despite the inevitable focus on the two biggest stars, Poland's coach Czeslaw Michniewicz insisted it wasn't simply a contest between the forwards.