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DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Rest simple, soccer followers. Lionel Messi will grace the World Cup stage not less than another time.
The Argentina nice had a penalty saved however his crew nonetheless beat Poland 2-0 Wednesday after second-half targets from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez and superior to the final 16.
Argentina completed in first place in Group C to arrange a match towards Australia, a shock qualifier for the knockout stage. It was in the end a contented evening for Poland, too, which went by way of because the group’s second-place crew on purpose distinction forward of Mexico and can subsequent play defending champion France.
Henry Martin and Luis Chaves every scored in Mexico’s livid try to remain alive on the World Cup, however the 2-1 victory Wednesday evening over Saudi Arabia was not sufficient.
Because of Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Poland in a simultaneous match, Mexico didn’t advance out of its group for the primary time since 1978.
Mexico had reached the spherical of 16 on the final seven World Cups, which was tied with Brazil for the longest present streak.
It’s a robust place for Argentina to be in, particularly contemplating the crew opened the World Cup with a stunning 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in certainly one of greatest upsets within the event’s historical past.
Messi’s possible ultimate World Cup rolls onto Saturday and he might be relieved after failing to attain a penalty for the second straight World Cup. It was awarded after he was hit within the face by the flailing hand of Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who made amends by diving to his left to dam Messi’s kick.
A largely pro-Argentina crowd, waving flags and scarfs and beating drums behind each targets, had been sweeping Messi and his crew alongside on the 44,000-seat Stadium 974 and so they didn’t cease after the penalty. Within seconds, a chant of “MESSI! MESSI!” instantly reverberated across the venue in a bid to maintain their idol’s head excessive.
And the roars have been even louder in the beginning of the second half, first after Mac Allister’s purpose _ a scruffy end from Nahuel Molina’s cut-back from the suitable _ within the first minute and once more after it turned clear Mexico had taken the lead towards Saudi Arabia.
Messi by no means stopped surging ahead and he was a menace all sport to Poland along with his dribbling skill and imaginative and prescient.
He wasn’t concerned in both purpose, although. For the second, Enzo Fernandez scooped a cross to Alvarez _ chosen forward of Lautaro Martinez _ and he took one contact earlier than curling his shot into the highest nook within the 67th minute.
The ultimate whistle blew with Poland gamers nonetheless uncertain in the event that they have been advancing, given the Mexico-Saudi Arabia sport was ongoing. A stoppage-time purpose by the Saudis made it even tougher for Mexico, sparking loud cheers by Poland’s crew and the squirting of water from their bottles in the midst of the sphere.
Martin scored within the forty eighth minute to provide El Tri hope, and the crew’s probabilities obtained even higher with Luis Chavez’s purpose on a free kick 4 minutes later.
Mexico tried desperately within the ultimate 20 minutes to get one other purpose _ together with an effort by Uriel Antuna within the 87th minute that was dominated offside _ however got here up quick.
Salem Aldawsari scored in second-half stoppage time.
Martin’s purpose ended Mexico’s 431-minute scoring drought on the World Cup, relationship again to their second group match on the 2018 event in Russia. It was the crew’s longest ever stretch and not using a purpose.
Mexico opened the event in Qatar with a 0-0 draw towards Poland and however fell 2-0 to Lionel Messi and Argentina.
Mexico hadn’t been eradicated from the group stage for the reason that World Cup in Argentina 44 years in the past. El Tri didn’t qualify for the 1982 World Cup in Spain, and was banned from the 1990 occasion in Italy for utilizing overage gamers at an under-20 event.
Mexico superior to the spherical of 16 in its final seven appearances _ however no additional. El Tri got here to Qatar seeking to play in an elusive “quinto partido” _ a fifth sport _ for the primary time since Mexico hosted the event in 1986.
Saudi Arabia had one of many event’s greatest ever upsets ever when it beat Argentina 2-1 in its opener. But the Green Falcons couldn’t pull off one other shock in its second match, a 2-0 loss to Poland.
The Saudis reached the spherical of 16 again in 1994, the crew’s World Cup debut, however haven’t made it previous the group stage since.
Many of the Saudi crew have been additionally a part of the squad that went to the 2018 World Cup. But none play outdoors of their dwelling nation. Twelve gamers on the roster are with Al Hilal, which has received a file 18 Saudi league championships.
Mexico dominated the primary half. Orbelin Pineda had top-of-the-line of three good probabilities for El Tri, but it surely was simply grabbed by Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais within the twenty fifth minute.
The sport turned shortly in Mexico’s favor with Martin’s purpose, however the celebration was muted. Chavez’s free kick within the 52nd that went into the higher nook simply out of Alowais’ attain introduced Mexico’s reserves speeding onto the sphere.
Hirving Lozano practically had a 3rd purpose however he was offside. Chavez had one other free kick that missed as Mexico tried in useless to attain extra targets.
Mexico coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino was roundly criticized for the dearth of scoring. He had already been questioned over a few of his decisions, together with his determination to depart all-time main scorer Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez off the crew.
Hernandez, who now performs for the LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer, scored the crew’s final purpose in a 2-1 group-stage victory over South Korea in Russia.
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