With a 2-0 victory over Poland, Argentina took first place in Group C and qualified for the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup. Poland also advanced.

La Albiceleste unexpectedly lost their first match to Saudi Arabia, but they have since defeated Mexico and Poland in Group C to advance as group champions to the tournament’s knockout stage.

Argentina will face Australia, who finished second in Group D, in the next round on Saturday after scoring goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez.

Lionel Messi missed a first-half penalty for Lionel Scaloni‘s side, but the South Americans scored twice without reply in the second half of the contest to secure first position in the group.

Poland, meanwhile, have progressed to the next round ahead of Mexico, with Czeslaw Michniewicz‘s side set to face the holders France on Sunday.

Disciplinary points were separating Poland and Mexico until Saudi Arabia found the back of the net in second-half stoppage time against Mexico to suffer a 2-1 defeat.

At the far post, Argentina’s Nicolas Otamendi had an early half-chance, but his header kept missing the mark.

The Paris Saint-Germain attacker then had his first look at the Poland goal in the seventh minute after creating some space outside the box, but his shot was straight at Wojciech Szczesny.

Messi made a good start for Argentina and the Poland goalkeeper had to stop him again in the 10th minute. Marcos Acuna then missed the crossbar seven minutes later.

Acuna was highly engaged down the left, and after another excellent work from Messi in a far-off position, the defender headed just wide of the goal.