World Cup live updates: Mexico, Argentina both take early second half leads
Groups A and B were decided in exciting fashion at the World Cup on Tuesday. Senegal defeated Ecuador to join the Netherlands as the top two teams in Group A. Meanwhile, the U.S. men’s national team held on to a 1-0 win over Iran to return to the Round of 16, joining England.
On Wednesday, Mexico fights to make an eighth consecutive knockout stage and battled to a scoreless first half. Argentina and Lionel Messi are also back in action and will need to score against Poland’s well-organized defense, but they haven’t done so after the first 45 minutes of play.
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Lionel Messi misses another chance
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Lionel Messi missed a left-footed shot in the 56th minute. The ball went left of the net, but Argentina is still up 1-0. They have 18 shots and nine shots on goal.
Luis Chávez scores first World Cup goal, furthers Mexico’s lead
The momentum is all Mexico’s as Luis Chávez scored a goal in the 52nd minute off a free kick. The goal, which is Chávez’s first ever World Cup score, comes just minutes after El Tri got on the board with a goal from Henry Martín. Mexico leads Saudi Arabia 2-0.
Mexico, Argentina strike
After 11 shots in the first half, Mexico finally struck in the 47th minute. Henry Martín knocked in a short shot after a corner kick.
For Argentina, Alexis Mac Allister scored the first goal of the match against Poland. He took a cross kick from Nahuel Molina and kicked it straight into the net.
Half: Mexico 0, Saudi Arabia 0
Despite 11 shots and three shots on goal, including two misses from Orbelin Pineda, Mexico has yet to score in what is essentially an elimination game. Saudi Arabia needs the win if it wants to advance to the Round of 16 as well.
Half: Argentina 0, Poland 0
Lionel Messi missed a penalty kick in the 39th minute in what has been a quiet game between an established legend and Robert Lewandowski, who scored his first World Cup goal earlier in the tournament.
Messi misses penalty shot
Lionel Messi was awarded a penalty kick in the 39th minute. His shot, directed to the right of the net, was saved by Poland’s goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny’s fingertips. This makes him the only player in World Cup history to miss two penalty kicks in the tournament. The score is 0-0.
Mexico misses two goal opportunities
In the 25th minute, Orbelin Pineda had a chance to score as he kicked the ball from in front of the goal, but goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais caught it.
Pineda had another shot two minutes later when he took a pass from Hirving Lozano and attempted a header that didn’t go in.
Saudi Arabia misses penalty kick
In the 13th minute, Saudi Arabia was awarded a penalty kick and Mohammed Kanno missed, booting the ball just over the net. The score is 0-0.
Messi passes Maradona’s record
With his 22nd World Cup appearance, Lionel Messi passes Diego Maradona for most caps in the tournament by an Argentinian player. Messi has also tied the Argentinian legend with eight World Cup goals when he scored against Mexico on Saturday.
Mexico vs. Saudi Arabia lineups
Saudi Arabia captain Salem Al-Dawsari takes his squad against another traditional powerhouse in Guillermo Ochoa and Mexico. Group B is wide open for the Round of 16.
Scenes from Argentina vs. Poland
DOHA, QATAR — Argentina travels as well as any team at the World Cup, and the stands at 974 Stadium were filled with fans in the iconic blue-and-white striped jerseys.
A roar erupted when Lionel Messi took the field for pre-game warmups, and the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has said this will “surely” be his last World Cup, responded by applauding the fans.
— Nancy Armour
Argentina vs. Poland lineups
Lionel Messi’s path to the knockout round is simple. Win and he’s in. But Argentina will have to find the back of the net against Poland, who have yet to concede a goal.
How can Mexico advance in the World Cup?
So, you’re saying there’s a chance?
Even without a goal through two games at the World Cup, Mexico can still advance to the knockout rounds. But, they’ll need some help from Argentina or Poland in their match.
coach Gregg Berhalter told them to unpack their suitcases, put their clothes in the dresser and their books on the nightstand.
They were, he said, going to be here for the duration.
So while those new to the USMNT might see anything from here on out as a bonus, they don’t. The Netherlands are up next, and the U.S. men are coming to play.
Of course it was going to be Christian Pulisic.
He’s the wunderkind of this uber-talented young generation of U.S. men, “Captain America,” accomplishing things no American has before, for both club and country. If the USMNT is to make a run at this World Cup, and make people rethink their view of American soccer, it’s going to require something special from Pulisic.