Poland and Argentina will square up at Stadium 974 this Wednesday, with both sides looking for maximum points that will qualify them for the next round of the tournament.
Venue: Stadium 974 (Doha)
Key Statistics
Poland have managed just four goals across their last six games.
They have kept four clean sheets in a row coming into this tie.
Poland have never kept a shutout against Argentina in 11 previous matches (W3, D2, L6).
Argentina have kept four clean sheets in their last five games.
No side have been able to net first against Argentina since November 2020,
Head to head
In eleven meetings between both sides, Argentina have six wins while Poland have three wins.
Latest performances in all competitions
Poland: W-D-W-W-L
Argentina: W-L-W-W-W
Poland
After a poor start to their World Cup campaign, Poland gave themselves an excellent chance to progress to the next stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup thanks to a 2-0 win over Saudia Arabia last time out.
In an exciting game at the Education City Stadium last Saturday, goals from Piotr Zielinski and Robert Lewandowski’s first World Cup goal, as well as a first-half penalty save by Wojciech Szczesny gave Czesław Michniewicz’s men maximum points, taking them top of Group C.
Defying expectations by sitting top of their group ahead of favourites Argentina, they now need just a point against the Copa Aermcia champions to guarantee round-of-16 progression. A win will also be needful as it will see them top a group stage for the first time since 1982, a campaign which saw them finish third.
To do that, they may require an improvement on the scoring front, as Poland have managed just four goals across their last six games. However, their deficiencies in attack have been disguised by a fierce defence that’s managed four clean sheets in a row. Another clean sheet here would be historical, as Poland have never kept a clean sheet against Argentina in 11 previous matches (W3, D2, L6).
Possible Poland starting line-up
Wojciech Szczesny, Matty Cash, Jakub Kiwior, Kamil Glik, Bartosz Bereszynski, Piotr Zielinski, Grzegorz Krychowiak, Krystian Bielik, Przemyslaw Frankowski, Arkadiusz Milik, Robert Lewandowski.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Argentina
After a disappointing 2-0 loss to Saudi Arabia sparked panic all across Argentina, Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates responded with style in their second group game, beating Mexico 2-0, to keep their chances of progressing to the knockout stage of the World Cup alive.
In a cagey first-half affair against Mexico at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, second-half goals from Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez gave Argentina the win and ensured that they come into this fixture with their destiny in their hands. Lionel Messi’s long-range strike in that win means he’s now the oldest and youngest player to both score and assist in a single World Cup game since 1966.
But despite the win, Argentina could face elimination unless they win here. The Albiceleste remain solid, though, as they have lost just once in their last 38 games.
And with this likely to be Messi’s ‘last dance’ on the global stage, Argentina will hope they can make it out of the group and rekindle hopes of adding a first-ever World Cup title to his glittering trophy cabinet.
Possible Argentina starting line-up
Emiliano Martinez, Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Acuña, Guido Rodriguez, Rodrigo De Paul, Angel Di Maria, Lionel Messi, Alexis Mac Allister, Lautaro Javier Martinez.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Odds
| Poland to win | Draw | Argentina to win | |
| Odds | 7.00 | 4.20 | 1.50 |
| Probability (%) | 14 | 23 | 64 |
Prediction
Poland 0-1 Argentina
Live Stream
For details, FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022 – TV Broadcast / Live Stream
