MATCH PREVIEW
Lionel Messi has already come to Argentina’s rescue on the World Cup. He may simply need to do it yet again.
One other emotionally charged night awaits Messi and the soccer-mad South American nation that worships him when Argentina meets Poland on Wednesday for a match with a lot on the road.
For Messi, who’s taking part in in doubtless his final World Cup. For Poland striker Robert Lewandowski, who may additionally be too previous when soccer’s greatest event rolls round subsequent in 2026.
And for the World Cup as an entire. As a result of who actually doesn’t wish to see Messi — one of many recreation’s best ever gamers — within the late levels of a event that’s heating up so properly.
There are a number of eventualities at play for the Group C finale. A win for the Argentines and they’re certain to advance, doubtless because the group winners. A draw, they usually can both end in second place behind Poland or be squeezed out by both Saudi Arabia or Mexico, who’re taking part in in a match happening concurrently.
A loss? Properly, that simply doesn’t bear excited about for anybody related to Argentina. The crew wouldn’t simply be eradicated however humiliated. Messi may by no means be seen within the Albiceleste’s sky blue-and-white jersey once more.
That state of affairs is an excessive amount of for Argentina followers to take. It’s why tears have been shed on the sphere, among the many technical employees and among the many fanbase after Messi scored the essential second-half objective to set Argentina on its strategy to a 2-0 win over Mexico on Saturday.
That victory meant Argentina bounced again from its surprising 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in its opening match and now has a combating likelihood to avoiding a primary group-stage exit since 2002.
“Now another World Cup has begun,” mentioned Messi, who will hope to attain for the third straight match at this World Cup and has netted 13 targets for Argentina in 2022 — already a career-high haul in a single calendar 12 months.
PREDICTED 11
Argentina: E. Martinez; Molina, Otamendi, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico; Fernandez, Paredes, De Paul; Messi, La. Martinez, Di Maria
Poland: Szczesny; Money, Glik, Kiwior, Bereszynski; Zielinski, Bielik, Krychowiak, Frankowski; Milik, Lewandowski
Issues about Messi’s well being have dogged the seven-time world participant of the 12 months on the World Cup, ranging from when he educated alone for 2 days earlier than Argentina’s opening recreation. He performed the complete 90 minutes towards Saudi Arabia and likewise within the Mexico recreation, which he completed in some discomfort after turning his ankle late within the match.
Messi later confirmed it was nothing critical. However it solely provides to the troubles in regards to the bodily wellbeing of a 35-year-old participant who’s clearly pacing himself throughout matches, choosing and selecting his moments to blow up into life.
Nonetheless, he has scored in each of the crew’s video games and is used to coming via within the huge moments for Argentina.
“It’s a great question — how do you stop Lionel Messi?” Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz mentioned. “All the world has been thinking about it for years … I don’t think we’ll ever find the final answer.”
Elsewhere, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni should determine whether or not to stick with Lautaro Martinez, who has been properly coated within the first two video games, or go along with one other striker in Julian Alvarez. Likewise, has extremely rated younger midfielder Enzo Fernández carried out sufficient to pressure his method into the crew after a scoring cameo in its place towards Mexico? And who will Scaloni decide at fullback, having performed a unique proper again and left again in every of Argentina’s video games?
As for Poland, among the weight is off the 34-year-old Lewandowski’s again after he lastly scored a objective at a World Cup within the 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Now he’s trying to advance past the group stage for the primary time at a World Cup. Poland hasn’t carried out so since 1986.
“Is he the same level of Messi?” Scaloni mentioned of Lewandowski. “You just have to enjoy such a good player — why are we comparing one player with another? It’s not helpful.”
Argentina followers might be cautious of the specter of Lewandowski, who rivals France’s Karim Benzema as the very best striker on the planet.
They’ll know, although, that they’ve a fair larger icon in Messi, who continues — even within the twilight of his magnificent profession — to bend soccer video games to his will.
Can he do it yet one more time?
AP
When is the FIFA World Cup match between Argentina and Poland?
The FIFA World Cup Group C match between Argentina and Poland will begin at Stadium 974 on December 1 at 12:30 AM
The place to look at the reside telecast of Argentina and Poland within the FIFA World Cup 2022 in India?
The reside telecast of the Group C match between Argentina and Poland might be out there on Sports18 in India.
The place to look at the reside stream of Argentina and Poland within the FIFA World Cup 2022 in India?
The reside stream of the Group C match between Argentina and Poland might be out there on Voot, Jio Cinema in India.
