The Argentinians beat Poland (2-0) and qualified for the round of 16 of the World Cup on Wednesday at the 974 – Ras Abu Aboud stadium, finishing first in group C. Lionel Scaloni’s men will challenge Australia for a place in the quarterfinals.

Argentina was held in check by Poland for a long time, but recovered in the second half to ensure qualification with a 2-0 win, thanks to a goal scored in the (46′) by Alexis Mac Allister following a pass from Nahuel Molina Lucero, then Julián Álvarez to seal the victory in the 67th minute. The Poles were not in the game at all and the score could have been wider if Wojciech Szczesny had not made several decisive saves. The Juventus goalkeeper delayed the first half by saving a Lionel Messi penalty at the end of the first half (39′), preventing the Pulga from opening the score.

After this victory, the second in the competition, Argentina finishes at the first place of its group with 6 points, ahead of Poland, 4 points. In the round of 16, Argentina will face Australia on Saturday, December 3 at 2 pm. The Poles will play against France the next day at 10 am.

In the other game of the day, Mexico beat Saudi Arabia (2-1), narrowly missing out on a place in the Round of 16. The Saudis finish at the last place of the group.

Rigaldo Saint-Charles