Lionel Messi-led Argentina will square off with Robert Lewandowski’s Poland at the Stadium 974, with the Word Cup last 16 berth at stake in tonight’s clash.
Lionel Scaloni-coached Argentina, who were shocked by Saudi Arabia in their opening match before they bounced back with a win over Mexico, need a victory to ensure their qualification to the knockout stage.
However, the two-time winners who are second in Group C behind Poland with three points, can also advance with a draw if Mexico and Saudi Arabia also end up sharing points.
Argentina relied on Messi’s brilliance to beat Mexico 2-0 and Poland is aware of the threat the 35-year-old poses for them in the crucial clash.
“Messi on the pitch is like Alberto Tomba on the slope, he’s able to avoid everyone like Tomba can get around everything,” Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz told reporters yesterday referring to skiing great Alberto Tomba.
“So we need to put players around Messi because if he can get around (them) easily he will easily score.
“One player cannot stop Messi, we must get players around him. The whole world has been thinking for years about how to stop Lionel Messi and he has made dozens of goals and assists. I don’t think we’ll ever find the final answer to this question,” the 52-year-old said.
Poland are unbeaten from their first two matches and Scaloni said the game will be a tricky test for the South Americans.
“We are expecting a difficult game,” the Argentina coach said yesterday.
“Poland is a team that at times, will close the area very well and also generate situations in the area. It’s different depending on who is there. Our idea is clear. We will try to defend the dead ball with a lot of concentration.”
“It’s true that most opponents change their way of playing against us but Poland have a good idea of playing and they have eleven players who could change a game.”
Lewandowski scored his first-ever World Cup goal in Poland’s 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia after he missed a penalty in a goalless draw against Mexico.
Scaloni hailed the 34-year-old striker as a “great” player.
“It’s a privilege and a pleasure to be able to see him up close like any other fan. If he is at the same level as Messi? You have to enjoy him, you don’t have to compare,” he said.
Meanwhile, Argentina’s Lisandro Martínez said his team will have to remain focused in the match against Poland.
“Poland is a very difficult opponent, defensively they are very solid and they have very good players,” he said.
“It’s going to be difficult. I think it will come down to details. We have seen Poland, we can tell that it’s a very tough opponent and they defend very well, that’s the reality,” he added.
When: Today at 10:00pm
Where: Stadium 974
Capacity: 44,089
Key stats:
- Poland have kept a clean sheet in their last three World Cup matches, including both in 2022.
- Poland won four of their first seven World Cup games against South American sides (L3) but lost each of their last three in the competition without scoring a single goal.
- Argentina lost their last two World Cup games against European nations - Croatia (3-0) and France (4-3) in 2018.
- Poland will advance with at least a draw, while Argentina may also advance with a draw depending on the result of the other group game.
Previous meetings:
This is the third time Poland and Argentina will meet at the World Cup. Poland won 3-2 in 1974 and Argentina won 2-0 four years later. Argentina have won six of their 11 meetings overall, with Poland winning three. The teams last played an international friendly in June 2011, which Poland won 2-1.
