- World Cup. Poland vs Argentina
- World Cup. Szczesny saves Messi penalty, continues to shine in Qatar 2022
Argentina booked their place in the World Cup round of 16 by downing Poland 2-0, with the European side joining them in remarkable circumstances.
The Albiceleste, who lost their opening match against Saudi Arabia, never looked under threat on Wednesday, with Lionel Messi's penalty miss in the opening half proving inconsequential thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez.
Unlike their match against Mexico, Argentina were quick out of the gate as they began the match with more tempo and flair.
Messi fired an angled shot that Szczesny pushed aside, while Alvarez has an effort blocked in the penalty area before Marco Acuna fired an angled drive just past the far post.
Argentina were awarded a rather dubious penalty in the closing stages of the half.
Szczesny made a bit of contact with Messi's face when trying to tap away a cross, with VAR calling over the referee for a review.
Incredibly, the penalty was given, however Messi's effort was expertly stopped by Szczesny, who stretched to his left and got his hand on the effort to keep the match goalless heading into the break.
Unfortunately for Poland there was nothing Szczesny could do to deny Argentina from taking the lead moments after the restart.
Nahuel Molina's cross found Mac Allister in space, and his scuffed shot dribbled into the far bottom corner to open his international account for the Albiceleste.
Mac Allister almost had a second only for his low shot to be stopped by Szczesny, but it didn't take long for Argentina to double their advantage, Julian Alvarez firing into the far corner of the net with a brilliant finish from inside the box.
The goal all but secured Argentina's place as group winners, but increased the pressure on Poland, who now found themselves level on goal difference and goals scored with Mexico (who were 2-0 up on Saudi Arabia) for second.
However, the European side were on course to progress by virtue of picking up fewer yellow cards.
Poland fans likely had their hearts in mouths when Jakub Kiwior sent a terrible back pass to his own goalkeeper that sent Lautaro Martinez in on goal, but the Inter man dragged his shot wide from a glorious position.
Nicolas Tagliafico dinked over Szecesny, with a Poland defender clearing off the line.
It proved hugely important as Saudi Arabia scored a consolation in injury time, sending Poland through by virtue of goal difference.