Argentina to take on Australia in last 16 clash after fluent 2-0 win over Poland

Lionel Messi missed a controversial firsthalf penalty for Argentina against Poland but his side recovered in time to register a 20 win their second successive one and move into the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup as Group C winnersOn Wednesday night at the 974 Stadium one goal apiece from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez helped twotime champions Argentina to collect full pointsLa Albiceleste scored both the goals in the second half to finish with six points having started their campaign with a shocking 21 loss to Saudi Arabia in the Group C openerArgentina as group winners will take on Australia which finished second in Group D Poland with one win against Saudi Arabia and one loss the same as Mexico qualified on account of better goal difference over their Latin American opponent Saudi Arabia finished at the bottom with three points for the lone win against ArgentinaPoland which finished behind the group leaders Argentina also qualified for the last 16 stage and will take on defending champions France which despite their 10 loss to Tunisia finished as group winnersAlso readMeet the Argentina man enjoying his 17th WCDider Deschamps side aiming to retain the trophy will aim to continue their strong start to the tournament in the hope of reaching the quarterfinalsArgentina and Poland join Australia Portugal Brazil England France the Netherlands Senegal and USA making it ten teams making it to the last 16 stage with another six set to join the qualified teams in the next stage of the tournamentIt was a very important victory We were under pressure after first game but have now won the group Very happy to score my first goal for Argentina Today was an amazing moment for me and for my family Its a big moment for me and I will always remember it We played a big match Brightons Mac Allister saidMac Allister their last 16 opponents Australia will be tough oneWe think they are a good team I played against them in the Olympic Games we lost So we know how difficult they are of course not the same team and we are not the same team but they are a very good team and it will be a tough sideArgentina were the dominant team in the first session in which Messis struck two shots on target in the opening ten minutes as Argentina battered at the door of PolandThey continued to rack up shots through the first half including a stunning attempt from Rodrigo de Paul from the corner flagJulian Alvarez replacing Lautaro Martinez in the starting lineup also had a shot blocked from close range in the 36th minuteThen controversy struck when Messi was awarded a penalty after a VAR review Poland keeper Wojciech Szczesny had attempted to punch away an Argentina cross but missed and his hand struck the head of Messi at the back post Messi had already headed the ball wide of the uprightBut in a stunning twist Szczesny saved Messis penalty with a brilliant diving block his second penalty save of the tournamentArgentina playing their best football of the tournament which will please Scaloni ahead of the round of 16 overcame the penalty save with two goals in the second sessionArgentina went into the lead 60 seconds after the restart with a goal by the Brighton midfielder Mac Allister Molina got to the touch line and cut the ball back where Mac Allister was waiting the 23yearold didnt make a clean connection as he swept it with his right foot but the direction was perfect and just kissed the far post after passing SzczesnyThe second goal had been coming It was a brilliant finish from Alvarez Enzo Fernandez drives at the defence and finds Alvaraz who takes a touch swivels and blasts a rocket into the top corner A brilliant instinctive finish from the Manchester city man in the 67th minute to confirm Argentina as group winnersThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever