![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Gen-Asim-Munir-Wikimedia-Commons-415x275.jpg)
Messi and Argentina advance at World Cup, beat Poland 2-0
PTI, Dec 1, 2022, 8:11 AM IST
![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/messi-620x413.jpg)
Image credit: AP
Rest easy, soccer fans. Lionel Messi will grace the World Cup stage at least one more time.
The Argentina great had a penalty saved but his team still beat Poland 2-0 Wednesday after second-half goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez and advanced to the last 16.
Argentina finished in first place in Group C to set up a match against Australia, a surprise qualifier for the knockout stage.
It’s a strong position for Argentina to be in, especially considering the team opened the World Cup with a shocking 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in one of biggest upsets in the tournament’s history. Messi’s likely final World Cup rolls onto Saturday.
He will be relieved after failing to score a penalty for the second straight World Cup. It was awarded after being hit in the face by the flailing hand of Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who made amends by diving to his left to block Messi’s kick.
Mac Allister converted a cross from Nahuel Molina inside the first minute of the second half and Alvarez — selected ahead of Lautaro Martinez — curled the second into the top corner in the 67th minute.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IndianClicks_GVega_Udayavani_300x250_12032021_1_1.gif)
Related Articles More
![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Prachi-Yadav-X-@Navinsports-150x90.jpg)
Paris Paralympics: Prachi Yadav enters canoe sprint final, Yash Kumar misses out
![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Wrestling-rep-iStock-150x100.jpg)
Nikita bags silver, Neha bronze in U20 Wrestling World Championships
![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Praveen-Kumar-paralympics-X-150x100.jpg)
Grappling with injury 3 months back, high jumper Praveen is now a record breaker
![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/dravid--150x96.jpg)
Rahul Dravid joins Rajasthan Royals on multi-year contract
![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/marn-150x84.jpg)
India’s fast bowling makes them difficult to beat in Australia: Marnus Labuschagne
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Ganesh-Chaturthi-150x105.jpg)
Karnataka ushers in Ganesh Chaturthi with its customary fervour; political tussle over govt’s order
![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Gen-Asim-Munir-Wikimedia-Commons-150x99.jpg)
Pakistan Army Chief acknowledges role of Pak army in Kargil war
![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Infant-1-150x100.jpg)
Kushinagar: Man forced to ‘sell’ son for hospital fee, 5 arrested
![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/CBI-rep-agencies-1-150x113.jpg)
Ex-RG Kar hospital principal had criminal nexus with co-accused for wrongful gains: CBI
![](https://www.udayavani.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/rains-rep-PTI-150x84.jpg)
29 dead in Telangana due to heavy rains, floods
Thanks for visiting Udayavani
You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.