Lionel Messi resurrected his World Cup ambitions last time out after a scary scare in the first game, and now they must complete the task against Poland to advance out of Group C and start a knockout stage journey that many anticipate would culminate at or near the final.
Although the game against Mexico was occasionally nasty, Lionel Messi discovered the winning combination late and provided assistance for their second to capture three points. To guarantee a spot in the knockout round, the Albaceleste must now win.
If Mexico defeats Saudi Arabia by no more than three goals, Argentina can progress with merely a draw, but it shouldn’t be counted upon, and Lionel Scaloni’s team will try to eliminate any uncertainties. Anyhow, a victory would be beneficial since it would ensure that they would take first place in the group, provided that Saudi Arabia did not outperform them by two goals.
The road ahead will be difficult for Poland, but Saudi Arabia showed how to surprise this Argentina team, and Robert Lewandowski is now free of the World Cup goal-scoring burden. Poland could play this one very cautiously because they would advance automatically with a win or a draw.
Predicted lineup
Poland possible starting lineup:
- Szczesny
- Cash, Glik, Kiwior, Bereszynski
- Zielinski, Bielik, Krychowiak, Frankowski
- Milik, Lewandowski
Argentina possible starting lineup:
- E. Martinez
- Molina, Otamendi, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico
- Fernandez, Paredes, De Paul
- Messi, La. Martinez, Di Maria
Injury news
Giovanni Lo Celso, Nico Gonzalez, and Joaquin Correa were all cut from Argentina’s tournament roster before the competition even started, so they aren’t present on their roster for the tournament. But there hasn’t been anything fresh to report throughout the group stage, and they have remained largely healthy.
The same is true for Poland, where Bartek Bereszynski is healthy enough to start against Saudi Arabia while Krystian Bielik is playing through a “minor injury.” Bartlomiej Dragowski, the goalkeeper, and Jakub Moder, a midfielder, were both injured prior to the competition and were not chosen for the squad.
head-to-head Odds
Argentina must prevail, and the Albaceleste are overwhelming favourites to do so with Lionel Messi at their back.
The major criticism of Poland appears to be their inability to score goals; despite the both teams to score category being overwhelmingly in favour of “no,” the overall number of goals scored being almost evenly distributed.
| BetMGM | Sports Interaction | SkyBet | Ladbrokes | |
| Poland win | +675 | 7.23 | 13/2 | 7/1 |
| Draw | +340 | 4.15 | 16/5 | 3/1 |
| Argentina win | -225 | 1.43 | 2/5 | 4/9 |
| Both teams to score Y / N | +120 / -175 | 2.17 / 1.54 | 6/5, 8/13 | 5/4, 3/5 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals | -110 / -130 | 2.02 / 1.74 | 1/1, 8/11 | 21/20, 7/10 |
| Argentina -1.5 | +120 | 2.32 | — | — |
| Poland +1.5 | -175 | 1.59 | — | — |
Tips and Betting Trends
Three prior matches between these two teams took place, including two World Cup matches. Argentina defeated Poland 2-0 in the rematch four years later to advance to the championship after Poland defeated them 3-2 in the first meeting in 1974. In the triumph, Mario Kempes scored twice, giving him the Golden Boot for the competition.
In their past three World Cup games, including both of these contests in the 2022 tournament, Poland has preserved a clean sheet. Poland had not kept a clean sheet in 10 successive World Cup games before that run.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi has scored in six straight international games, tying his national team scoring record from the years 2011–2012. In seven straight international games, he has never scored.
Summary
- Location: Ras Abu Aboud Stadium
- Date: Wednesday, November 30
- Kickoff Time: 2:00 pm ET / 7:00 pm GMT / 6:00 am AEDT (Thu, Dec. 1)
- Official: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)