Poland vs Argentina Preview & Recaps
Both Sides in Pole Position to Advance
⚽Poland vs Argentina: Game Recap⚽
Results: Poland 0-2 Argentina
Argentina advanced to the knockout stages of the World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Poland in their final Group C match in Qatar.
Lionel Messi had a couple of on-target efforts in the first 10 minutes, but neither stretched Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. Argentina controlled possession, but it took until the 26th minute for them to seriously threaten Poland, with Marcos Acuña screeching one wide after Julián Álvarez had seen a shot saved. Angel Di Maria fired in an Olympic corner, and, half an hour into the game, Argentina had already generated more shots than they did in their previous match against Mexico.
Alexis Mac Allister scored the opening goal of the game for Argentina before Julian Alvarez made sure of the win. Lionel Messi had earlier seen a penalty kick saved by Wojciech Szczesny.Argentina’s 2-0 win means they progress to the round of 16 as group-stage winners. They will play Australia in the next round.
Elsewhere, Mexico could only beat Saudi Arabia 2-1, which means Poland progressed as group-stage runners-up. They face the reigning world champions France next time out.
Argentina takes on Australia in a game they should win. Australia is one of the least favorite teams going into the knockout stage, and the world is shocked to see them advance. However, Argentina has already suffered an unimaginable upset during this World Cup. Could the Socceroos give them another?
 Poland | – |  Argentina |
|---|---|---|
| 27% | Possession | 73% |
| 4 | Total Shots | 24 |
| 0 | Shots on Target | 13 |
| 2 | Shots Wide | 7 |
| 2 | Shots Blocked | 4 |
| 11 | Saves | 0 |
| 1 | Corners | 9 |
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 6 | Fouls | 11 |
| 0 | Offsides | 1 |
| 77% | Pass Accuracy | 92% |
| 0 | Dribbles | 6 |
| 5 | Crosses | 18 |
| 17 | Tackles | 14 |
Did We Get It Right?
Below you will find all the predictions we made before the matchup, on November 27, 2022.
Argentina Up and Running
Argentina’s opening loss to Saudi Arabia was the shock result of the tournament so far. However, Lionel Messi and Argentina managed to right the ship in their match vs. Mexico. Following the 2-0 win, they’re once again favorites to win Group C. They’ll take on the current group leaders Poland on Wednesday in an intriguing group stage finale. We’ll see just how many goals Argentina are favored by in this Poland vs Argentina preview.
Poland vs Argentina
Date, time (TV):
Location: Stadium 974, Doha, Qatar
Streaming: FOX, Peacock
Team Standings and Odds:
| Team | FIFA World Ranking | World Cup Qualifying Record | Knockout Stage Odds | Odds to Win Group | Odds to Win World Cup |
| Poland | 26 | 7-2-2, UEFA Group I | -300 | +175 | +10000 |
| Argentina | 3 | 11-6-0, 2nd CONMEBOL | -500 | -200 | +750 |
| All Meetings: | Teams |
|---|---|
| Jun 2011: | Poland 2-1 Argentina |
| Nov 1992: | Argentina 2-0 Poland |
| Jan 1984: | Argentina 1-1 Poland |
| Oct 1981: | Argentina 1-2 Poland |
| Oct 1980: | Argentina 2-1 Poland |
Poland and Argentina haven’t faced off since a 2011 friendly that finished in a 2-1 Poland win. Lionel Messi didn’t play on the day but Polish stars Wojciech Szczęsny and Robert Lewandowski started. This will be the third Poland vs. Argentina World Cup meeting in history. In 1974, Poland defeated Argentina 3-2 en route to a third place finish. Four years later, Argentina defeated Poland 2-0 in the group stage as La Albiceleste won the tournament.
Poland: Long Wait Over for Lewandowski
Standings: 1-1-0, 1st
Previous Match: W, 2-0 vs. Saudi Arabia
Poland haven’t necessarily played great football but it’s hard to argue with their results. They drew 0-0 with Mexico last Tuesday as Guillermo Ochoa saved Robert Lewandowski’s penalty. Despite getting outplayed by Saudi Arabia for long stretches of Saturday’s match, Poland managed to get a 2-0 win. Piotr Zielinski fired a shot into the roof of the net in the first half as Lewandowski got the assist. Then, Wojciech Szczesny came up huge with a double save on a controversial Saudi Arabia penalty.
Absorbing the Saudi Arabian pressure, Poland managed to go on and get an insurance goal. It was an emotional one for Lewandowski as it marked the 34-year old’s first-ever World Cup goal. Maybe it’ll be the goal that opens up the floodgates for Lewandowski but he’s facing a tough defense on Wednesday. There have been a lot of FIFA injuries but Poland aren’t dealing with any key injuries heading into the match.
There are a bunch of potential results that will see Poland through to the knockout stage. Even if they lose to Argentina, it’s likely they’ll advance if they manage to keep it close. A draw or win seals automatic round of 16 qualification. It’d be their first appearance in the knockout stage since 1986.
Argentina: Bounce Back vs Mexico
Standings: 1-1, 2nd
Previous Match: W, 2-0 vs. Mexico
Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina were in a precarious position vs. Mexico. A loss would have eliminated them from the tournament after just two matches. However, Mexico set up with five defenders and invited Argentina to come break them down. It proved to be a difficult task at first but Lionel Messi scored an impressive goal just after the hour mark. With minutes to go, substitute midfielder Enzo Fernandez scored a brilliant curled effort past Memo Ochoa to seal the win. The victory compensated for a shocking upset defeat to Saudi Arabia in Argentina’s first match.
Now, Argentina odds price La Albiceleste at -200 odds to win the group and a win over Poland should do it. Messi has scored in each of Argentina’s opening matches in what could be his last World Cup. He’ll be relied upon on Wednesday and Lautaro Martínez has been his strike partner in both matches. Scaloni made four changes in the starting XI from the Saudi Arabia match to the Mexico one. It’ll be interesting to see if he sticks with the group that kept a shutout on Saturday.
Argentina are a win away from qualifying for their fifth straight World Cup knockout stage. A draw is likely to be enough, given their +1 goal difference compared to Mexico’s -2. However, an Argentina draw and Saudi Arabia win vs. Mexico would knock La Albiceleste out. In the interest of removing all doubt, expect Argentina to push for the win in this one.
Match Analysis and Odds:
The Poland vs Argentina list Argentina as clear favorites in the Group C finale. La Albiceleste show -140 odds to cover the one-goal spread and will almost certainly win the group if they do. Poland, who haven’t conceded a goal yet, are priced at +120 odds to cover. They’re also massive underdogs to win the match, at +725 odds. Meanwhile, Argentina come in as -225 moneyline favorites and a draw sits at +310 odds.
They’re a particularly risk averse team in the first place but Poland coach Czesław Michniewicz is unlikely to take any risks in his team selection and tactics
Poland would be ecstatic with a win or draw and are fully aware that they’re likely to qualify as long as they keep things close. They’re a particularly risk averse team in the first place but Poland coach Czesław Michniewicz is unlikely to take any risks in his team selection and tactics. As long as Messi is on the pitch, Argentina pose a great attacking threat. Argentina need more from their central midfielders, though. Rodrigo de Paul hasn’t been his usual self in the first two matches.
With damage control the name of the game for Poland, the match isn’t expected to be very high scoring. Under 2½ goals is implied to be more likely than the over, at -120 odds. Poland’s last three World Cup matches have gone under that total along with their last six in all competitions. It could be a very similar match for Argentina tactically to the Mexico one, where they’re tasked with breaking down a packed defense. They’re likely to pass the test but this tournament has shown that shock results are always a possibility.
