FIFA World Cup: Argentina advance to last 16 despite Lionel Messi's saved penalty

Before the final matchday, the group was on a knife edge. Mexico conceded a last-second goal in a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia to send Poland into the round of 16 on goal difference after it looked for much of the second half as if the Poles would only advance based on fair play rules.

Second-half goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez secured Argentina's progress after Lionel Messi had a controversially awarded penalty saved by Wojciech Szczesny.

Lionel Messi will now lead Argentina against Australia in the next round, while Poland will face a stern test against defending champions France as a reward for advancing.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🇦🇷 Congratulations Argentina 👏👏👏<br><br>🏆 The two-time <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldCup</a> champions have secured their ticket to Qatar ✈️🇶🇦 <a href="https://t.co/3vuyoihqCz">pic.twitter.com/3vuyoihqCz</a></p>&mdash; FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1460802787596386308?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Playing the 999th game of his career, Lionel Messi had two early chances denied by Szczesny, while Robert Lewandowski suffered a similar problem at the other end of the pitch.

Marcos Acuna shot wide of goal shortly before the half-time break and Szczesny had to be alert shortly afterwards to steer an Angel Di Maria corner over the bar.

Szczesny had to intervene again to keep out a shot from Alvarez, but in trying to clear a cross, he caught Lionel Messi with his hand. Referee Danny Makkelie awarded a penalty after reviewing the VAR footage.

Szczesny was relieved to keep out Messi's penalty with a superb dive to his left — his second save from the spot at the tournament after previously pulling one off against Saudi Arabia.

However, two minutes into the second half, the 'keeper could do nothing as Mac Allister's first goal for Argentina put his side ahead.

The goal was the first Szczesny conceded in the tournament and should have given Poland a wake-up call, but it did not come.

Poland, who had set out not to concede a goal and had Lewandowski isolated for much of the game, could not make an impact in the final third - Mac Allister almost scored a second time, but his low shot was blocked.

Argentina secured victory and progressed as group winners despite their shock defeat to Saudi Arabia with a well-worked second goal when Manchester City striker Alvarez fired home after a pass from Enzo Fernandez.

A yellow card for Grzegorz Krychowiak 12 minutes from a time further reduced Poland's fair play advantage over Mexico. Meanwhile, Lautaro Martinez missed an excellent chance to score a third for Argentina, which would have put Mexico in pole position to progress.

Head coach Czeslaw Michniewicz cut a frustrated figure while Polish fans in the stands of Stadium 974 anxiously checked their phones for updates.

Substitute Nicolas Tagliafico almost added a third goal, but his shot was blocked by the returning Jakub Kiwior, allowing Poland to escape once more.

The game in Doha was over three minutes before the final whistle at Lusail Stadium, where Mexico conceded in stoppage time. Polish players celebrated on the pitch after huddling together to watch the final stages.