Opening World Cup loss little more than bad memory as Lionel Messi, Argentina win group | Opinion
stunning loss to Saudi Arabia that seemingly jeopardized Messi and Argentina’s World Cup hopes, the Albiceleste are through to the knockout rounds. As group winners, no less.
“We wanted to compensate for that defeat,” said Alexis Mac Allister, who broke through for Argentina in the 46th minute in what would wind up being a 2-0 victory over Poland on Wednesday night.
“Today was a great game,” Mac Allister added. “We played collectively, and it fills us with confidence.”
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni cautioned against making too much of his squad’s resilience and ability to turn things around after that initial shock in the opener. The team hasn’t changed, he said, and they shouldn’t be considered World Cup favorites.
Nor should Australia, Argentina’s opponent in the round of 16 on Saturday, be discounted.
“All matches are tough,” Scaloni said.
What matters, however, is that Messi still has a chance to win a World Cup, the one title that has eluded him.
Messi led Argentina’s comeback with a goal in the 64th minute against Mexico, and Enzo Fernandez doubled it in the 87th for a 2-0 win. But with Poland coming into Wednesday’s game with four points and Saudi Arabia having three, Argentina still needed a win to advance comfortably.
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Messi had a chance to deliver, but missed two shots early and then had his penalty attempt blocked in the 39th minute by Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.