Argentina - Poland: When Messi and Lewandowski compete

* Argentina - Ba Lan: 2pm on 1/12, MetaSports train.

Before the Saudi Arabia match in the second leg on November 26, Lewandowski ranked first in both scoring statistics (176 goals) and appearances (135 matches) in Polish history. But none of those goals were made at the World Cup. Even in the opening match against Mexico, he missed a penalty.

It was not until the 136th match that the 34th striker broke the "curse", when he scored a 2-0 victory. He cried.

After the match, Lewandowski shared that the goal against Saudi Arabia was a dream come true in the World Cup, possibly the last of his career. But the star on the Barca payroll does not let the emotions go too far. He quickly set the next goal is to bring Poland into the 1/8 round - something that has not happened with the country's team since 1986.

Besides Lewandowski, the defense is also the shining point of Poland at the 2022 World Cup. They are currently one of the two rare teams that still keep a clean sheet through the first two rounds of the group stage, despite receiving 27 shots from their opponents. player. Further, Poland has not conceded a goal in the last four matches.

But Argentina is said to be superior to Saudi Arabia or Mexico, and especially Lionel Messi's desire to win the World Cup may be the last. The South American team is forced to win three points on the 974 field today to ensure the next place.

If drawn, Argentina continues to be behind Poland, and must look to the outcome of the remaining match between Saudi Arabia and Mexico. And once they fail, they will definitely be eliminated, and Messi will most likely never appear in a blue and white shirt again.

That prospect is beyond imagination for Argentine fans. That's why tears were shed on Lusail's field, after Messi scored a great long shot that opened a 2-0 victory over Mexico on November 26. This result helps Argentina keep their hopes of progressing and avoid the prospect of being eliminated from the group stage of the World Cup for the first time since 2002.

"Now, another World Cup has begun," Messi - who has scored 13 goals for Argentnia in 2022 - said after the Mexico game.

Not simply a ticket to continue, Messi and his teammates also have to occupy the top of Group C to avoid France - the team that is likely to hold the top of Group D - in the 1/8 round. At the 2018 World Cup, Argentina was behind Croatia in the group stage, had to meet France in the 1/8 round and then lost 3-4.