Argentina and Poland advance to the Round of 16 on a dramatic World Cup night, while Mexico’s heroic effort is ineffective.
Argentina top group with 2-0 win over Poland; Mexico best Saudi Arabia 2-1 but ousted because of inferior goal difference
Mexico was aware that they needed at least three goals. Poland was aware of their three-goal advantage. While Poland had to deal with Messi, Mexico faced a Saudi Arabian team that had defeated Argentina. Both matches played out exactly as one might have predicted: Mexico fought valiantly to the very end, scoring two goals and looking for a third, only to concede one in the waning seconds of their appearance at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Poland failed to register a single shot on target, lost by two goals, and still advanced to the Round of 16.