Julián Álvarez, larboard, acclaimed with Enzo brackenández afterwards scoring Argentina’s second aim of the online game on Wednesday.credit...Amanda PerobelliReuters

DOHA, Qatar — It was an peculiar and unprecedented arena.

after a - victory over Poland at amphitheater in Doha on Wednesday, Argentina and its precise superstar, Lionel Messi, acclaimed having won community C and superior to the knockout stage. however Poland become additionally animating following its accident. many of its gamers awash on the box around a cell, after which animated and hugged as neatly, an odd reaction following a defeat.

A -minute pressure abroad at Lusail stadium, within the nighttime’s other community C game, Mexico had been main Saudi Arabia, -, with a scattering of minutes still final in time beyond regulation. If that score captivated, Mexico would finish with facets, the identical as Poland. but Mexico’s streak of advancing to the knockout date in seven beeline world Cups would conclusion by using virtue of losing the sixth — sure, the sixth — tiebreaker between it and Poland: each and every crew’s number of yellow and pink playing cards.

but back Salem al-Dawsari denticulate in the fifth minute of delivered time — and with three account remaining within the game — the change in yellows playing cards amid Mexico and Poland became arguable. unexpectedly, Mexico had a worse intention cogwheel than Poland and therefore turned into losing the primary tiebreaker. staring at on the screen, Poland’s players had a good time. then moments later, after the closing whistle in Mexico’s - acquire, they acclaimed their country’s first trip to the knockout stage seeing that .

“occasionally defeats are bittersweet, or candy and absinthian,” Poland teach Czeslaw Michniewicz said via an interpreter. “however we went via, afterwards many a long time.”

The ball of the knockout date awaits — it starts off on Saturday — however Wednesday offered a tension-stuffed teaser. getting into the day, the mission became clear for Argentina and Poland: bewitch and increase. however each teams knew — as did Mexico — of the scenarios through which Mexico might seize some of the other teams within the standings. If Argentina beat Poland, Mexico obligatory to steal — and score a lot of goals.

Argentina took affliction of its own fate. afterwards dropping to Saudi Arabia in its first video game — one of the most largest upsets in world Cup heritage — Argentina rebounded and agitated Mexico after which Poland.

Poland’s goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny, became abroad shot after attempt within the aboriginal half on Wednesday, but Argentina right away bankrupt through in the d. in the forty sixth minute, midfielder Alexis Mac Allister chipped in a despicable via Nahuel Molina for Argentina’s aboriginal goal. And in the th minute, forward Julián Álvarez accursed a attempt through a closing window of brightness defenders for his group’s d ranking.

however by then Mexico turned into leading Saudi Arabia by means of -, which supposed the entire teams concerned have been quickly readjusting the math in their active. Michniewicz observed he and his coaches had an contract by which they might not inform their players about the ongoing Mexico-Saudi Arabia game “except annihilation scandalous took place.” At one point, he observed, he did tell Poland’s captain, Robert Lewandowski, and a few others.

vivid they d an side in chicken playing cards — and thus the possibility to advance if the rankings captivated — Poland changed its method. It performed conservatively, trying to stay away from being too advancing as to draw greater yellow cards via tough fouls. It additionally approved to score, however that accepted difficult towards an Argentine team that turned into concentrated on maintaining the rob.

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

within the th minute, Michniewicz noted his heart sank. The midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak became issued a chicken card for a tricky accelerate tackle. Poland’s yellow agenda margin had shrunk, and it now had complete to Mexico’s seven. minutes later, Michniewicz pulled Krychowiak from the game and replaced him with forward Krzysztof Piatek for offense.

“We desired to stay away from chicken cards and to score,” Michniewicz said. “That’s why we had one more striker in. however Argentina didn’t permit us.”

in the th minute, Argentine ahead Lautaro exchangeínez simply neglected broad on a shot that might accept adapted the community standings and despatched Mexico to the knockout stage and Poland domestic. And in third minute of added time, apostle Jakub Kiwior saved Poland with the aid of heading a bang with the aid of Nicolás Tagliafico that would accept also despatched Mexico to the subsequent round.

after the remaining blare, gamers from Poland and Argentina, including Messi and Lewandowski, befuddled palms and hugged. however Messi had a amends bang saved by way of Szczesny in the th minute, his more youthful teammates helped lift the burden.

“we now have a staggering group and people who convey,” Messi pointed out afterward in Spanish. “because it’s such a short tournament and so abounding games in a row that it’s first rate that we ve everyone.”

however afterwards the general postgame pleasantries, Poland’s gamers lingered on the box. The fact that they couldn’t score backward towards Argentina or worried about their yellow card total didn’t remember anymore when al-Dawsari scored for Saudi Arabia in opposition t Mexico. while Poland receives to enhance, Mexico’s gamers and its coach accessible questions and criticism back home for failing to reach the knockout date for the first time on the grounds that .

“I anticipate the responsibility of this large failure,” Mexico coach Gerardo Martino stated, adding that his arrangement expired afterwards the closing whistle.

introduced Mexico midfielder Luis Chávez, who scored in the nd minute: “I’m in fact sad as a result of we chock-full accomplishing lots of the things from the first two matches. We reacted a bit of too backward. We knew we nonetheless had hopes of condoning however we didn’t achieve it.”

Poland did, though, and now faces a tricky road forward: it will face France, the group D champ and the ascendant world Cup champion, on Sunday. And Argentina and Messi, in what is probably going his closing attempt to acquire a title that has lengthy eluded him, will face a simpler path: they are going to face the community D agent-up Australia on Saturday.

As his postgame information conference neared a.m. and he stored fielding questions about his crew advancing despite its terrible comedy, Michniewicz stopped speaking and appeared bottomward at his cellphone. It was buzzing.

“It’s definitely backward and the prime minister is looking,” he stated.

remaining. Mexico performed one of the crucial thrilling world Cup video games you re going to see, attacking from the outlet blare. It didn t rating regardless of numerous chances in the first half, again acquired two dreams in the d. but it surely essential three, and urgent ahead badly it gave up a backward aim to Saudi Arabia for a - catch that wasn t good adequate. credit additionally to Saudi Arabia, which really had nothing to comedy for after falling at the back of with the aid of -, but kept combating on protection and subsequently foiled Mexico s bid for an eighth beeline circular of appearance. — champ Mather

when the news finally filters through to stadium , the baby accidental of brightness fans at core field celebrates berserk, the cue for his or her gamers to do the equal. There are high fives and pats on the back among the team in white. Argentina begun adulatory a number of minutes previous with its fanatics.

That Saudi Arabian purpose — which reductions Mexico’s result in - — units off the brightness celebrations. They know they advance on intention difference, but it surely nevertheless may be premature. A Mexico purpose — if it will possibly find one quick — alterations the mathematics in every single place once again.

last: Argentina , Poland . Argentina is thru. but Poland’s soreness is just starting: It ought to wait a pair extra account earlier than it will probably say the equal.

′ + tick, beat, beat for Poland. however so that you can handiest be half the job: there s more time beyond regulation in Mexico-Saudi Arabia, that means this may conclusion and then each person will watch the end there — out of Poland’s handle — on monitors and achievement.

Uriel Antuna puts the brawl within the web for Mexico, however he is barely offside. So many shut calls for Mexico! — victor Mather

′ + three Soooo shut for Argentina there: Nicolas Tagliafico nearly ancestor within the third goal but Jakub Kiwior — scrambling back — heads it off the road. It’s unimaginable to enlarge how important that play became. He has literally just kept Poland on the earth Cup through conserving that brawl out of the aim.

The yellow card totals, in the event you’re questioning and of course you re: Poland has five, Mexico has seven. As of now, that’s the change amid advancing and activity home.

Over at Lusail, it’s doubtful if the Mexican avid gamers had been told what’s getting into the Argentina vs. Poland online game, nonetheless it bound looks adore it. total team is pushing forward, and the group has confused to simply three defenders within the again. if they get one other, they’re through within the second part. — Allison McCann

seventy nine′ Argentina has replaced fernández, who scored its nd purpose, and has taken its bottom off the accelerator. It has what it wants from tonight, and it’s now not about to bandy it returned now. reasonably a turnaround for the reason that the loss to Saudi Arabia befuddled it to its amount. That Messi speech on the bus again to the inn that nighttime should had been a barnburner.

We are actually in abnormal area the place the way forward for the d location crew is terribly prone to be about yellow cards, which makes for a peculiar end to this online game, with polish players now attempting to get to the end of the video game through no longer accumulating bookings rather than attempting to drive a gap.

seventy eight′ Messi hasn’t denticulate during this game, may also have abstract an harm to recall a penalty, and had it adored back he took it. And yet any person gazing would accede he’s been the dominant participant on the field. He simply makes all of it seem so effortless every now and then.

Mexico has two desires, but needs three. it s fiddling with the identical corybantic, basically determined vogue it has due to the fact the primary minute. Saudi Arabia is abatement, however nevertheless video game. Can Mexico get the a must-have intention? — champ Mather

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

With Mexico only one goal up within the other online game, it may appear down to the group with the least yellow cards that joins Argentina in the knockout round at this factor. that s the seventh tie-spoil used by using FIFA to investigate final locations. Mexico has more chicken playing cards than Poland and would be eliminated. What a method to go domestic.

because it stands, Argentina is thru as the neighborhood champ, and Poland will part Mexico on the blooming-comedy tie-breaker: It has beneath chicken cards.

sixty eight′ goal! Julian Álvarez doubles Argentina’s lead. Is that satisfactory to advance it via?

Álvarez made his aboriginal start of the world Cup tonight afterwards playing as a substitute in the aboriginal two video games. given the way this has long past, expect him to retain the job.

Messi’s latest shut-handle run throughout the Poland returned line has the believe of destiny: It’s as if he’s determined that his apple Cup is not catastrophe here, no longer tonight.

Scaloni’s changes there have modified Argentina’s shape. however his team is aggressive and Poland has offered valuable little, the Argentina train has fabricated a protective-minded alteration, including an additional midfielder in the shape of Leandro Parades in region of attacker Angel Di Maria. four-three- is now four--.

after forty five minutes of tension, fanatics in Buenos Aires’s plaza Intendente Francisco Seeber exploded in joy after Argentina denticulate its aboriginal goal of the online game.

because it stands, Mexico must rob via , and it simply went up -! Luis Chavez belts a loooong free kick that turned into unstoppable, probably the most best of the event. The Saudi protection appears tired.

fifty three′ a smart, slashing run by Messi ends along with his shanking the attempt.

That aim has unleashed clamor interior stadium . in the back of both dreams, lovers are bouncing up and down with such ferocity that the waterside arena is resembling the La Bombenara or enormous, the fabled Buenos Aires stadiums that are bucket-record items for enthusiasts all over seeking soccer’s surest atmosphere.

forty seven Mexico gets its step forward within minutes of the restart! Henry Martin receives a foot to a disagreeable and block it past the busy Saudi protection and goalkeeper. — victor Mather

′ The nd attempt of the match for Poland, a header from Glik sails juuuuuuuust extensive, missing an blaster by the width of a shoelace or three.

It took lower than a minute of the d half for Argentina to level-headed any issues that each one those chances would not actualize into the intention the efficiency has to date becoming. It was striking in its simplicity, the form of intention you can see in a soccer simulation: a circulate from Di Maria bottomward the road into house, Molina running on to it before affairs it back for Alexis Mac Allister to strike along with his first touch. increase. boom. boom.

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

Halftime: It just about defies belief in spite of everything of Mexico s commonplace, and infrequently tainted, chances, but after forty five+ minutes, this online game is still scoreless. Saudi Arabia, which did at the least get a couple of late counterattacks, may need a rethink at the breach. Mexico just wants a little more advantageous luck. — victor Mather

Wojciech Szczesny adored a penalty by Argentina’s Lionel Messi late in the first half.credit...Pavel Golovkinassociated press

The options saved advancing and coming and advancing within the first bisected for Argentina: In transition and on corners and in start comedy, and Argentina stored probing and missing and probing and lacking. now not alike a amends kick by means of Lionel Messi may get past the brightness goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who tipped balls faraway from the net and avoided anything else and every thing from moving into it.

The ranking, miraculously, remained the same at halftime because it did back this ultimate healthy of community C play began, although Argentina could have — and should have, it will say — tallied two, possibly three desires. The most reliable options, as they frequently do, have been derived from the feet of Messi, who absorbed some deft passes towards Marcos Acuña to no avail. however it turned into his missed amends that might linger longest for La Albiceleste and its legion of absonant lovers at the stadium .

Messi drew his larboard foot again, swung it ahead — an action that, generally, results in joy for Argentina and anguish for the action — and sent the ball towards Szczesny’s left. He dove, deflecting the ball abroad with an ample appropriate hand and, afterwards being chock-full by means of his teammates, resumed denying Argentina another time.

In all, Argentina pelted Poland with shots. Szczesny saved of them. and that they were of dazzling best or more desirable. both teams would increase if the effect holds, and if it does, Messi and his teammates will certainly not, anytime want to see him once again.

Wojciech Szczesny in the two previous games against Mexico and Saudi Arabia: eight saves. Szczesny in the first half against Argentina: nine saves.

This has been one-manner site visitors from the start of the game. Supporters sitting in the middle seats should be would becould very well be suffering from neck suffering, accepting spent very nearly the whole forty five account with their eyes expert on the polish aim. Argentina has achieved every thing but score, and nerves will definitely start to fray appear the d bisected.

Oh boy, yet another shop from Szczesny, denying Messi’s shot. he s mobbed by means of his teammates.

′ Szczesny saves it! Messi misses! canines and bodies reside in concord!

big moment: a potential amends on Szczesny, who bankrupt out Messi afterwards he drifted to clear up a unhealthy.

here s the Wojciech Szczesny reveal. he s saving shots larboard and correct. He nonetheless hasn’t accustomed a aim this world Cup.

after that spectacular jumping shop by means of Szczesny, he gave Ángel Di María a thumbs up, presumably for the effort.

Julián Álvarez will accomplish his first commence of the event for Argentina.credit score...Clive Brunskill photographs

The banderole in Argentina’s lineup is the young striker Julian Álvarez up entrance, however educate Lionel Scaloni has fabricated a pair different changes, too.

Enzo fernández, whose curling intention accomplished off Mexico, starts in midfield, and Cristian Romero and Nahuel Molina come in to bolster the defense.

Poland instruct Czeslaw Michniewicz, who has been criticized for enjoying too defensively, sticks with his largest change from the Poles’ remaining game: forward Karol Swiderski starts alongside the occasionally abandoned captain Robert Lewandowski, offering some assist, and risk, up entrance. it really is a signal, however additionally offers the prospect of conserving Argentina on its heels alike a little bit. If that continues the brawl away from Messi even a bit, it’s useful.

Wojciech Szczesny, Kamil Glik, Jakub Kiwior, matty money, 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 practising affair on Tuesday in Doha, Qatar.credit...Juan MabromataAgence France-Presse — photographs

how to watch: p.m. eastern. Fox, Universo, Peacock free.

How unlucky it will be if the realm were deprived of seeing a very gifted scorer, a master of his ability, in the knockout degrees. also, it might be a shame if Lionel Messi of Argentina didn’t get there, too.

Barring a failure of significant proportions, either Messi or Robert Lewandowski, Poland’s striker extraordinaire, will strengthen. however not necessarily both, besides the fact that their groups access the remaining day of community stage play in a strong place.

For Poland, the edict is simple: beat or draw with Argentina, and it qualifies for its first removing round considering the fact that , two years before Lewandowski became built-in. even a accident doesn’t disqualify Poland: some permutations from Mexico’s fit with Saudi Arabia would see Poland via.

As for Argentina, it turned into capable of overcome a shock aperture accident to Saudi Arabia that anointed fingerpaint in all places La Albiceleste’s course to qualification as a result of — smartly, since it has Messi, who factored in each second-half goals in a - take over Mexico that ensured its adaptation. Now, as ever, Argentina will depend on him once more, with a victory assuring progression and a draw — so long as Saudi Arabia doesn’t defeat Mexico, definitely — seemingly doing so, too.

a way to watch: p.m. japanese. FS, Telemundo, Peacock chargeless.

impossible because it gave the impression a week and a half in the past, Saudi Arabia can reach the next round with a seize, or even on aim cogwheel with a draw, as long as Argentina or Poland purchase and by using the appropriate allowance. The real shock right here is Mexico, whose streak of reaching the realm Cup knockout date is in hazard of catastrophe at seven except a whole mess of issues go right on Wednesday. The remaining time Mexico didn’t increase out of its group was in .

every favorable situation for El Tri includes a victory, which, if it is to occur, would require Mexico to do anything it has yet to do all event: rating a goal.

West Germany and Austria within the world Cup in Gijón, Spain.credit score...Popperfoto, by the use of pictures

For eight straight days, the soccer smorgasbord it really is the area Cup has unspooled at common intervals, each and every match staggered to bestow it highest importance, a full minutes of beauty — additional an eon of stoppage time — on the international date with out advance from other video games.

despite the fact that upsets abounded, a certain tidiness to the proceedings still reigned: On best of those eight days, there have been four video games, scheduled three hours aside, one afterwards an additional afterwards an additional. It became ravishing, satisfying and, for these of us who crave order, somewhat existence-declaring.

Now, as of Tuesday, structure is on a short aperture. dear clairvoyant, prepare for anarchy.

starting with the group A video games at a.m. japanese time, each and every of the eight clusters throughout the next canicule will date its remaining round of suits simultaneously.

Croatia will bang off against Belgium on Wednesday at the identical time that Canada faces Morocco. after a damage, adorn plays Spain in neighborhood E, which is scheduled to open at p.m. jap, precisely when Costa Rica’s matchup with Germany starts off.

The change in time table creates the closest situations to aggressive balance and resplendent comedy, assuring that groups don t know the effect appropriate to reach the knockout date before they recall the box. It discourages teams from improving pathways within the bracket with the aid of influencing outcomes with such strategies as manipulating purpose differential or no longer enjoying to win. It also inhibits match fixing.

The coverage dates to a second so awkward for overseas soccer — which has had one or two or — that it came to advantage a autograph of kinds: the disgrace of Gijón. Or, in Germany, Nichtangriffspakt von Gijón the nonaggression pact of Gijón.

on the world Cup in Spain, heading into their closing in shape in community play, West Germany and Austria accomplished that a achievement for West Germany by means of one or two goals would allow each teams to development — and for this reason get rid of cipher Algeria, which, afterwards finishing neighborhood comedy a day prior, crucial an Austria lift or draw to circulate on.

in the th minute, Horst Hrubesch denticulate for West Germany. again, blackout and languor and boredom and yawn. For the relaxation of the suit, George Vecsey wrote in the manhattan instances, “West Germany made extra kicks astern than ahead.” The association anchored each groups’ access.

In his book concerning the rise of African soccer, “toes of the Chameleon,” Ian Hawkey wrote that Algeria lovers waved bank addendum on the gamers, and that German television referred to as it “essentially the most base day within the historical past of our football federation.”

Algeria complained to FIFA, however no punishment would be levied. as a substitute, FIFA spoke back by way of alteration its rules: beginning with the apple Cup, all remaining suits in a group can be held concurrently. So, now they are.

Ángel Di María and Lionel Messi of Argentina are among the elite gamers who should be would becould very well be competing of their final world Cup.credit...Catherine Ivill images

That this world Cup will, very nearly actually, deliver the conclusion to the overseas careers of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has lengthy been assumed. Their starlight is so knowing, even though, that it has served to imprecise the entire different farewells on the way to come on the casual-constructed fields of Qatar.

This match will extinguish the gentle of an entire galaxy. it ll, surely, be the remaining 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 date activities has to offer. Robert Lewandowski and Gareth array might also yet join them, a part of the snatch of superstars on a valedictory tour.

apple Cups, of course, accept all the time had that aim. just as they are the forge of greatness, they act, too, as the region it takes its bow.

In that gentle, this world Cup is not any distinct from every other. And yet the sheer numbers imply whatever thing diverse. They give the impression that soccer will go into the event with one elite and emerge from it with somewhat a different. That isn t as a result of there s a superior share of famous players at the end of their career than standard. it is because there are more noted players, abounding cease.

It is probably going that the ultimate years will come to be considered almost exclusively during the lens of Messi and Ronaldo, the two gamers who have defined it. Such an designation, although, can be reductive. it s improved concept of, as an alternative, as soccer’s first truly world age: an period through which enthusiasts the world over could watch just about each nd of a participant’s career, during which the tremendous and the good encountered one one more with extraordinary frequency in the Champions alliance and came into our buildings through video games, a time when infrequent ability amassed collectively at a scattering of superclubs.

The technology that allows you to exit the stage in Qatar is the remaining breastwork of the first era of players who started and ended their journeys in that ecosystem.

there have been Argentine banners actuality afraid from rafters and tied round columns and mounted to walls. there have been Argentine flags, six ft excessive, aerial and flourishing above Doha’s streets. The vast majority of them bore the equal instantly recognizable face: no longer Lionel Messi, but Diego Maradona.

It became the same with the songs that echoed across the metropolis from lunchtime alee, as gaggles of Argentine fanatics encountered one a different: songs about Diego, observing from the sky; songs about Diego, casual his mantle on to Messi; songs about Diego and the way much he s overlooked.

for a lot of fanatics, this apple Cup is, of course, about Messi: his last chance to assume the one trophy that has eluded him — other than the Carabao Cup — all over his bright profession. eventually, Argentina seems to accept crafted a group that may get the foremost out of him, one which has now not lost in video games advancing into the match and one that has arrived in Qatar with a real perception that the tercera, the country’s third apple Cup, is across the corner.

but judging by using those Argentines who ve arrived, for them this month is as lots about honoring Maradona as it is set adherent Messi.

it s, after all, the primary match considering the fact that Maradona’s death two years ago this week, the primary world Cup devoid of the attendance in some type of the man who defined it for Argentina: as an inspirational player, as a cautionary story, as an impassioned educate, as the country’s best ardent cheerleader. The gamers need to remove it for Messi. The fanatics’ songs, their banners and their flags make it bright that they re here, as lots as the rest, to have a good time Maradona.