WITH A 2-0 VICTORY OVER POLAND, MESSI AND ARGENTINA MAINTAIN THEIR DOMINANCE

Argentina's dream of winning the World Cup continues. Lionel Messi continues to dream of playing in the World Cup. The World Cup plans of Poland and Robert Lewandowski continue despite some late drama. Barcelona's past and present strikers did not quite ignite, with neither scoring. However, Argentina has advanced thanks to a 2-0 victory over Poland. Despite all other metrics being equal, the defeated team almost made it through on disciplinary points alone. Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia's late consolation against Mexico confirmed the team's safety. They took to the task like a team to maintain the flame of Argentina's World Cup campaign. In response to a dangerous cross from Rodrigo De Paul, Nicolas Otamendi headed wide. In his record 22nd World Cup appearance, Lionel Messi went solo on the left and was denied by Wojciech Szczesny. The former Arsenal man would not be the last to deny the PSG player. The left-back snatched at Messi's shot after Messi played a beautiful ball to the left. In one of Argentina's best early opportunities, Julian Alvarez's saved shot trickled as far as Acuna. Both sets of fans gasped as the Sevilla man shot narrowly wide.

During the first half, Szczesny was harshly adjudged to have fouled Messi as the forward jumped for a header. Szczesny pawed Messi's spot-kick away with authority after the kick was at a hospitable height for him. In doing so, the great man became the first player in the history of the World Cup to save two penalties. Only 59 seconds into the second half did Argentina take the lead. Alexis MacAllister scored the goal following a pull-back from Nahuel Molina for Brighton & Hove Albion. The goal was his first for Argentina, and could not have come at a better time for his country and their hopes for the tournament. As a result, Poland's plans made at halftime were quickly abandoned. Messi gave Mac Allister another opportunity to score, but he was unable to capitalize on it. There was too much distance between Szczesny and the Brighton player's effort. But Argentina was demonstrating repeatedly that they were able to go up through the gears in a manner that Poland was unable to match.

Argentina's lead would be doubled by another Premier League player. Alvarez unleashed an almighty wallop to put Manchester City on the verge of reaching the quarterfinals. It was Enzo Fernandez who threaded the needle in order to find the striker, who powered the ball home. As a result of the strike, Poland has leveled up in terms of points, goal difference, and goals scored. Despite having a superior disciplinary record to Mexico, they were now clinging to their runner-up spot in Group C. However, Messi's close-range shot was once again saved by Szczesny. Soon after, Alvarez scored from the sideline. Despite a goalkeeper who made some mistakes and some wayward finishing, Poland managed to remain in Qatar.

There was little impetus in the Polish performance as every tackle carried a potentially fatal blow to their hopes. The team even risked conceding a second time at times. Even Poland's friendly approach to physicality would not have saved them if Lautaro Martinez had applied a better finish. There was a chance for Nicolas Tagliafico that was cleared by Jakub Kiwior. Poland operated on a wing and a prayer basis. It was Saudi Arabia's late and late show that allowed them to advance on goal difference, so they did not need to worry. In spite of this, Poland and their supporters should be concerned after this disappointing performance. Messi did not even have to score in order for Argentina to defeat them comfortably.