Julián Álvarez, left, celebrated with Enzo brackenández afterwards scoring Argentina’s nd goal of the game on Wednesday.credit...Amanda PerobelliReuters

DOHA, Qatar — It changed into an strange and extraordinary scene.

after a - victory over Poland at stadium in Doha on Wednesday, Argentina and its precise famous person, Lionel Messi, celebrated accepting gained community C and superior to the knockout date. but Poland was also animating afterward its loss. many of its avid gamers awash on the box around a cellular telephone, and then cheered and hugged as neatly, a strange reaction following a defeat.

A -minute power away at Lusail amphitheater, within the night’s different neighborhood C online game, Mexico had been leading Saudi Arabia, -, with a handful of account nonetheless closing in beyond regular time. If that rating captivated, Mexico would conclude with aspects, the same as Poland. but Mexico’s band of advancing to the knockout stage in seven straight apple Cups would conclusion by way of virtue of dropping the sixth — yes, the sixth — tiebreaker amid it and Poland: each and every group’s number of yellow and purple playing cards.

but back Salem al-Dawsari denticulate within the fifth minute of added time — and with three minutes last in the online game — the difference in yellows playing cards amid Mexico and Poland became arguable. suddenly, Mexico had a worse aim differential than Poland and hence became dropping the primary tiebreaker. observing on the screen, Poland’s gamers rejoiced. again moments after, after the ultimate blare in Mexico’s - lift, they acclaimed their country’s aboriginal shuttle to the knockout stage given that .

“on occasion defeats are apricot, or candy and bitter,” Poland teach Czeslaw Michniewicz observed via an analyst. “however we went via, afterwards abounding many years.”

The drama of the knockout stage awaits — it starts on Saturday — however Wednesday offered a anxiety-filled teaser. coming into the day, the mission changed into bright for Argentina and Poland: buy and boost. but each teams knew — as did Mexico — of the scenarios by which Mexico may catch one of the vital other groups in the standings. If Argentina beat Poland, Mexico obligatory to take — and rating loads of goals.

Argentina took care of its personal fate. after dropping to Saudi Arabia in its aboriginal online game — some of the biggest upsets in world Cup historical past — Argentina rebounded and toppled Mexico after which Poland.

Poland’s goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny, grew to become abroad attempt afterwards attempt within the first bisected on Wednesday, however Argentina directly broke via within the nd. in the th minute, midfielder Alexis Mac Allister chipped in a corrupt by means of Nahuel Molina for Argentina’s aboriginal goal. And within the th minute, forward Julián Álvarez fired a shot via a closing window of polish defenders for his group’s d ranking.

but by using again Mexico turned into main Saudi Arabia by -, which intended all the teams concerned were directly readjusting the mathematics in their active. Michniewicz observed he and his coaches had an contract in which they would not tell their gamers in regards to the advancing Mexico-Saudi Arabia online game “until annihilation corrupt came about.” At one aspect, he spoke of, he did inform Poland’s captain, Robert Lewandowski, and a few others.

radiant they d an aspect in chicken cards — and thus the chance to improve if the scores captivated — Poland changed its method. It performed conservatively, attempting to stay away from actuality too advancing as to draw extra chicken playing cards through tough fouls. It additionally approved to ranking, but that proved difficult in opposition t an Argentine group that turned into focused on protecting the consume.

Saudi Arabia’s Salem Al-Dawsari scored past Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa in stoppage time.credit score...Patricia De Melo MoreiraAgence France-Presse — pictures

within the th minute, Michniewicz spoke of his heart sank. The midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak changed into issued a yellow card for a tricky slide tackle. Poland’s chicken card allowance had gotten smaller, and it now had five total to Mexico’s seven. five minutes later, Michniewicz pulled Krychowiak from the game and changed him with forward Krzysztof Piatek for offense.

“We wanted to steer clear of yellow cards and to ranking,” Michniewicz pointed out. “That’s why we had another striker in. but Argentina didn’t permit us.”

in the th minute, Argentine ahead Lautaro exchangeínez just ignored wide on a shot that might accept altered the neighborhood standings and despatched Mexico to the knockout stage and Poland domestic. And in third minute of brought time, defender Jakub Kiwior saved Poland by way of heading a kick by way of Nicolás Tagliafico that would have additionally sent Mexico to the subsequent circular.

after the final whistle, avid gamers from Poland and Argentina, together with Messi and Lewandowski, shook arms and hugged. however Messi had a penalty bang adored by using Szczesny within the th minute, his more youthful teammates helped elevate the burden.

“we now have a fabulous group and people who carry,” Messi pointed out in a while in Spanish. “since it’s such a short tournament and so many video games in a row that it’s first rate that we now have everyone.”

however after the commonplace postgame pleasantries, Poland’s players lingered on the field. The indisputable fact that they couldn’t rating late in opposition t Argentina or worried about their yellow card complete didn’t count anymore when al-Dawsari denticulate for Saudi Arabia towards Mexico. while Poland gets to boost, Mexico’s players and its coach awaited questions and criticism returned domestic for failing to reach the knockout date for the primary time considering the fact that .

“I count on the responsibility of this huge failure,” Mexico educate Gerardo Martino mentioned, adding that his contract expired afterwards the closing whistle.

brought Mexico midfielder Luis Chávez, who scored within the nd minute: “I’m really unhappy because we chock-full accomplishing most of the issues from the first two suits. We reacted slightly too late. We knew we still had hopes of qualifying however we didn’t achieve it.”

Poland did, even though, and now faces a tough highway forward: it s going to face France, the neighborhood D champ and the reigning world Cup champion, on Sunday. And Argentina and Messi, in what is probably going his ultimate try to seize a title that has lengthy eluded him, will face a less complicated course: they ll face the neighborhood D runner-up Australia on Saturday.

As his postgame information conference neared a.m. and he kept fielding questions about his group advancing regardless of its terrible play, Michniewicz chock-full talking and looked bottomward at his cell phone. It changed into buzzing.

“It’s in reality backward and the best abbot is calling,” he noted.

final. Mexico performed one of the vital exciting apple Cup video games you are going to see, advancing from the opening whistle. It did not score despite a large number of chances within the aboriginal bisected, then obtained two goals within the second. nonetheless it necessary three, and pressing ahead desperately it gave up a late goal to Saudi Arabia for a - bewitch that wasn t first rate enough. credit also to Saudi Arabia, which really had annihilation to comedy for afterwards falling behind by -, but stored combating on defense and ultimately aghast Mexico s bid for an eighth straight circular of look. — victor Mather

back the news at last filters through to amphitheater , the baby contingent of brightness fanatics at center container celebrates wildly, the cue for their players to do the identical. There are excessive fives and pats on the returned among the many team in white. Argentina began celebrating several minutes previous with its fanatics.

That Saudi Arabian intention — which reductions Mexico’s cause - — sets off the brightness celebrations. They understand they lead on intention difference, but it surely nonetheless can be premature. A Mexico intention — if it might discover one speedy — alterations the mathematics everywhere again.

remaining: Argentina , Poland . Argentina is thru. but Poland’s soreness is only starting: It should wait a couple greater account earlier than it might probably say the equal.

ninety′ + beat, tick, tick for Poland. however that allows you to best be bisected the job: there is extra extra time in Mexico-Saudi Arabia, which means this may end after which all and sundry will watch the conclusion there — out of Poland’s handle — on monitors and hope.

Uriel Antuna places the ball within the internet for Mexico, but he is barely offside. So abounding close calls for Mexico! — champ Mather

ninety′ + three Soooo shut for Argentina there: Nicolas Tagliafico well-nigh pops within the third intention but Jakub Kiwior — scrambling again — active it off the road. It’s unattainable to enlarge how critical that comedy became. He has actually just stored Poland on the earth Cup by way of protecting that brawl out of the intention.

The yellow card totals, if you’re wondering and naturally you are: Poland has , Mexico has seven. As of now, that’s the change amid advancing and going home.

Over at Lusail, it’s doubtful if the Mexican players had been advised what’s getting into the Argentina vs. Poland game, nevertheless it certain appears adore it. total team is blame ahead, and the group has moved to simply three defenders in the returned. in the event that they get yet another, they’re via within the second passage. — Allison McCann

seventy nine′ Argentina has replaced brackenández, who scored its d aim, and has taken its foot off the accelerator. It has what it needs from tonight, and it’s not about to throw it lower back now. quite a turnaround due to the fact the loss to Saudi Arabia befuddled it to its amount. That Messi accent on the bus back to the lodge that evening need to had been a barnburner.

We are now in atypical area the place the way forward for the second location team is terribly likely to be about chicken cards, which makes for a extraordinary end to this online game, with polish players now making an attempt to get to the end of the game with the aid of not collecting bookings as opposed to trying to drive an opening.

′ Messi hasn’t scored in this game, might also accept abstract an injury to assume a amends, and had it adored back he took it. And yet any one staring at would agree he’s been the ascendant participant on the container. He just makes all of it appear so convenient occasionally.

seventy five Mexico has two dreams, however wants three. it is fiddling with the equal corybantic, basically desperate trend it has because the primary minute. Saudi Arabia is abatement, however nevertheless online game. Can Mexico get the a must have aim? — victor Mather

seventy three′ Messi springs Álvarez with an inch-ultimate via ball behind the protection. Álvarez collects it on the dead run and controls, but his shot hits the web on the foul facet of the publish. We dwell at -.

With Mexico only one purpose up in the different video game, it might come right down to the group with the least yellow cards that joins Argentina within the knockout round at this point. this is the seventh tie-destroy acclimated via FIFA to check remaining locations. Mexico has greater yellow cards than Poland and could be eliminated. What a way to move home.

because it stands, Argentina is through as the neighborhood winner, and Poland will side Mexico on the attractive-comedy tie-breaker: It has fewer yellow cards.

sixty eight′ intention! Julian Álvarez doubles Argentina’s lead. Is that adequate to advance it through?

Álvarez fabricated his first start of the area Cup tonight after playing instead within the aboriginal two games. accustomed the manner this has long gone, expect him to keep the job.

Messi’s latest close-manage run during the Poland returned line has the think of fate: It’s as if he’s determined that his apple Cup isn t ending right here, no longer tonight.

Scaloni’s changes there accept changed Argentina’s shape. even if his group is rampant and Poland has offered valuable little, the Argentina teach has made a defensive-absent alteration, adding a further midfielder in the shape of Leandro Parades in area of attacker Angel Di Maria. four-- is now -four-.

afterwards forty minutes of tension, enthusiasts in Buenos Aires’s capital Intendente Francisco Seeber exploded in joy afterwards Argentina scored its first goal of the video game.

because it stands, Mexico should take through , and it simply went up -! Luis Chavez belts a loooong chargeless bang that was unstoppable, one of the best of the tournament. The Saudi defense looks drained.

fifty three′ a smart, slashing run by way of Messi ends with his shanking the shot.

That intention has unleashed clamor interior stadium . in the back of both goals, enthusiasts are bouncing up and bottomward with such ferocity that the waterside enviornment is corresponding to the La Bombenara or enormous, the fabulous Buenos Aires stadiums that are bucket-checklist gadgets for fans around the globe in search of soccer’s most reliable environment.

Mexico gets its step forward inside minutes of the restart! Henry Martin gets a foot to a faulty and slips it previous the overworked Saudi protection and goalkeeper. — champ Mather

forty nine′ The second attempt of the fit for Poland, a attack from Glik sails juuuuuuuust broad, lacking an equalizer by way of the amplitude of a shoelace or three.

It took less than a minute of the second bisected for Argentina to detached any issues that all these options would not actualize into the intention the performance has to date merited. It become outstanding in its artlessness, the form of purpose you may see in a soccer simulation: a pass from Di Maria bottomward the line into space, Molina working on to it before affairs it returned for Alexis Mac Allister to bang along with his first contact. boom. growth. growth.

That wasn t the sharpest of strikes for Alexis Mac Allister, however his one-timer from internal the field slid past a diving Szczesny and simply interior the put up.

Halftime: It pretty much defies belief after all of Mexico s ordinary, and sometimes infamous, chances, but afterwards + account, this game remains scoreless. Saudi Arabia, which did at least get a few late counterattacks, could need a amend on the breach. Mexico simply wants a little more suitable good fortune. — champ Mather

Wojciech Szczesny adored a penalty with the aid of Argentina’s Lionel Messi backward in the aboriginal bisected.credit...Pavel Golovkinassociated columnist

The chances saved coming and advancing and advancing within the aboriginal half for Argentina: In alteration and on corners and in initiate comedy, and Argentina stored acid and missing and acid and missing. no longer alike a penalty bang by means of Lionel Messi could get previous the polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who angled assurance away from the net and prevented anything and every thing from stepping into it.

The score, miraculously, remained the equal at halftime because it did when this closing in shape of neighborhood C comedy began, even though Argentina may have — and should have, it would say — tallied two, perhaps three goals. The top of the line chances, as they often do, were acquired from the feet of Messi, who hooked some deft passes toward Marcos Acuña to no account. however become his missed penalty that may linger longest for La Albiceleste and its countless of absonant fanatics on the stadium .

Messi drew his left bottom returned, swung it ahead — an action that, often, ends up in joy for Argentina and anguish for the opposition — and despatched the brawl towards Szczesny’s left. He affable, deflecting the brawl abroad with an outstretched right hand and, afterwards actuality chock-full by using his teammates, resumed denying Argentina another time.

In all, Argentina pelted Poland with shots. Szczesny adored of them. and they had been of amazing satisfactory or stronger. each groups would develop if the outcomes holds, and if it does, Messi and his teammates will by no means, anytime wish to see him again.

Wojciech Szczesny in the two old video games in opposition t Mexico and Saudi Arabia: eight saves. Szczesny in the first bisected towards Argentina: saves.

This has been one-means traffic from the start of the video game. Supporters sitting within the middle seats can be littered with neck agony, accepting spent essentially the entire forty five minutes with their eyes proficient on the brightness goal. Argentina has performed every little thing however rating, and nerves will surely begin to affray appear the d bisected.

Oh boy, a further save from Szczesny, abstinent Messi’s shot. he is chock-full via his teammates.

′ Szczesny saves it! Messi misses! canine and bodies live in concord!

big moment: a possible penalty on Szczesny, who bankrupt out Messi afterwards he drifted to clean up a obnoxious.

this is the Wojciech Szczesny demonstrate. he is extenuative pictures left and appropriate. He still hasn’t accustomed a aim this world Cup.

afterwards that unbelievable leaping save by Szczesny, he gave Ángel Di María a thumbs up, presumably for the effort.

Julián Álvarez will accomplish his aboriginal commence of the event for Argentina.credit...Clive Brunskill photos

The banderole in Argentina’s calendar is the young striker Julian Álvarez up front, however train Lionel Scaloni has fabricated a couple other adjustments, too.

Enzo fernández, whose crimper purpose entire off Mexico, begins in midfield, and Cristian Romero and Nahuel Molina are available in to bolster the defense.

Poland instruct Czeslaw Michniewicz, who has been criticized for playing too defensively, sticks with his greatest trade from the Poles’ last game: forward Karol Swiderski starts alongside the every now and then lonely captain Robert Lewandowski, providing some assist, and threat, up entrance. it s a signal, but also presents the prospect of keeping Argentina on its heels even a bit bit. If that continues the ball faraway from Messi even a bit, it’s helpful.

Wojciech Szczesny, Kamil Glik, Jakub Kiwior, coiled cash, Bartosz Bereszynski, Grzegorz Krychowiak, Piotr Zielinski, Krystian Bielik, Przemyslaw Frankowski, Karol Swiderski, Robert Lewandowski.

Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Rodrigo De Paul, Marcos Acuna, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Angel Di Maria, Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi.

Lionel Messi of Argentina all the way through a practicing affair on Tuesday in Doha, Qatar.credit...Juan MabromataAgence France-Presse — images

the way to watch: p.m. jap. Fox, Universo, Peacock chargeless.

How unfortunate it could be if the world have been deprived of seeing a truly talented scorer, a grasp of his ability, within the knockout tiers. also, it might be a shame if Lionel Messi of Argentina didn’t get there, too.

Barring a failure of gigantic proportions, either Messi or Robert Lewandowski, Poland’s striker extraordinaire, will increase. however no longer always both, despite the fact that their teams enter the final day of community stage comedy in a powerful place.

For Poland, the edict is essential: beat or draw with Argentina, and it qualifies for its aboriginal removing round on account that , two years before Lewandowski become born. alike a loss doesn’t disqualify Poland: some variations from Mexico’s fit with Saudi Arabia would see Poland through.

As for Argentina, it turned into in a position to affected a shock aperture accident to Saudi Arabia that smeared fingerpaint far and wide La Albiceleste’s route to qualification because — smartly, because it has Messi, who factored in both nd-half goals in a - lift over Mexico that ensured its adaptation. Now, as anytime, Argentina will rely on him once again, with a victory assuring development and a draw — as long as Saudi Arabia doesn’t defeat Mexico, definitely — probably accomplishing so, too.

how to watch: p.m. jap. FS, Telemundo, Peacock chargeless.

not possible because it seemed a week and a half in the past, Saudi Arabia can attain the subsequent round with a occupy, or even on intention cogwheel with a draw, as long as Argentina or Poland catch and by means of the appropriate allowance. The precise shock here is Mexico, whose band of achieving the world Cup knockout stage is in danger of catastrophe at seven unless an entire blend of issues go appropriate on Wednesday. The closing time Mexico didn’t develop out of its group turned into in .

each favorable situation for El Tri includes a achievement, which, if it is to ensue, would require Mexico to do something it has yet to do all event: score a aim.

West Germany and Austria within the apple Cup in Gijón, Spain.credit...Popperfoto, by way of photographs

For eight beeline canicule, the soccer accumulation it is the world Cup has unspooled at standard intervals, every suit staggered to accord it optimum value, a abounding minutes of attractiveness — additional an eon of abeyance time — on the international date devoid of intrusion from other games.

notwithstanding upsets abounded, a definite tidiness to the court cases nevertheless reigned: On most of these eight days, there have been four games, appointed three hours apart, one afterwards another afterwards a further. It become exquisite, pleasurable and, for these of us who crave order, fairly existence-maintaining.

Now, as of Tuesday, structure is on a short aperture. pricey reader, put together for anarchy.

starting with the community A video games at a.m. jap time, every of the eight clusters throughout the subsequent four canicule will stage its final round of suits simultaneously.

Croatia will kick off in opposition t Belgium on Wednesday on the equal time that Canada faces Morocco. after a ruin, japan plays Spain in community E, which is appointed to begin at p.m. jap, exactly when Costa Rica’s antagonism with Germany starts.

The exchange in agenda creates the closest conditions to aggressive stability and exquisite play, assuring that teams don t know the effect required to attain the knockout date before they bewitch the container. It discourages groups from enhancing pathways in the bracket by influencing consequences with such strategies as manipulating intention differential or now not playing to recall. It also inhibits match fixing.

The policy dates to a moment so embarrassing for international soccer — which has had one or two or nine — that it came to advantage a autograph of kinds: the disgrace of Gijón. Or, in Germany, Nichtangriffspakt von Gijón the nonaggression alliance of Gijón.

on the apple Cup in Spain, branch into their last healthy in group play, West Germany and Austria accomplished that a achievement for West Germany by one or two goals would allow both teams to development — and hence dispose of upstart Algeria, which, afterwards finishing group comedy a day prior, needed an Austria retract or draw to flow on.

in the eleventh minute, Horst Hrubesch scored for West Germany. then, torpidity and languor and tedium and yawn. For the rest of the healthy, George Vecsey wrote within the manhattan times, “West Germany made greater kicks backward than forward.” The arrangement anchored each teams’ passage.

In his ebook concerning the upward push of African soccer, “toes of the Chameleon,” Ian Hawkey wrote that Algeria enthusiasts waved financial institution addendum at the players, and that German tv known as it “the most shameful day within the background of our football alliance.”

Algeria complained to FIFA, but no abuse can be levied. in its place, FIFA spoke back by means of amending its suggestions: starting with the apple Cup, all remaining fits in a gaggle would be held concurrently. So, now they are.

Ángel Di María and Lionel Messi of Argentina are among the elite avid gamers who can be aggressive in their final apple Cup.credit score...Catherine Ivill images

That this world Cup will, essentially certainly, supply the cessation to the foreign careers of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has long been affected. Their starlight is so shiny, although, that it has served to vague all of the other farewells so that it will appear on the casual-developed fields of Qatar.

This tournament will extinguish the mild of an entire galaxy. it ll, surely, be the closing time Luka Modric, Thiago Silva, Daniel Alves, Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller, Jordi Alba, Ángel Di María, Luis Suárez, Edinson Cavani, Eden Hazard and Antoine Griezmann adroitness the grandest stage sports has to present. Robert Lewandowski and Gareth array may yet join them, a part of the seize of superstars on a valedictory tour.

world Cups, of path, accept always had that intention. simply as they re the forge of abundance, they act, too, as the place it takes its bow.

In that easy, this world Cup is no distinct from some other. And yet the sheer numbers suggest anything different. They provide the affect that soccer will go into the tournament with one elite and emerge from it with somewhat one more. That is not because there s a more advantageous proportion of noted players at the conclusion of their profession than typical. it s as a result of there are greater noted players, full cease.

It is likely that the closing years will become considered just about solely through the lens of Messi and Ronaldo, both gamers who have described it. Such an narrative, though, would be reductive. it is more desirable notion of, instead, as soccer’s aboriginal basically global age: an period during which lovers internationally could watch nearly each nd of a participant’s profession, in which the super and the decent encountered one one other with unparalleled frequency in the Champions alliance and came into our homes via video games, a time back infrequent ability amassed collectively at a handful of superclubs.

The era with a purpose to avenue the stage in Qatar is the final bastion of the primary generation of gamers who begun and concluded their journeys in that ecosystem.

there have been Argentine banners being afraid from rafters and tied around columns and fastened to walls. there have been Argentine flags, six feet excessive, fluttering and blooming above Doha’s streets. The large majority of them bore the same instantly apparent face: now not Lionel Messi, but Diego Maradona.

It changed into the identical with the songs that echoed across the city from lunchtime alee, as gaggles of Argentine fanatics encountered one a further: songs about Diego, watching from the sky; songs about Diego, casual his crimson on to Messi; songs about Diego and how much he is overlooked.

for a lot of lovers, this world Cup is, of direction, about Messi: his remaining chance to choose the one trophy that has eluded him — other than the Carabao Cup — during his bright profession. ultimately, Argentina seems to accept crafted a crew that may get the most useful out of him, one which has not misplaced in games advancing into the match and one which has accustomed in Qatar with a real belief that the tercera, the country’s third world Cup, is around the corner.

however judging by these Argentines who ve arrived, for them this month is as an awful lot about honoring Maradona as it is set adoring Messi.

it is, after all, the first event since Maradona’s dying two years in the past this anniversary, the primary world Cup without the attendance in some sort of the person who defined it for Argentina: as an inspirational player, as a cautionary story, as an animated instruct, because the country’s most ardent cheerleader. The players wish to seize it for Messi. The lovers’ songs, their banners and their flags accomplish it clear that they are here, as lots as anything, to have a good time Maradona.