Wednesday 30 November 2022 saw the second group of eight teams, from Groups C and D, play their third and last group matches in FIFA World Cup 2022.
For half the teams would be their last matches of this year's tournament; the others would be progressing to the knock-out phase.
Group C
Both matches kicked off simultaneously: Poland played Argentina and Saudi Arabia played Mexico.
Technically, all 4 teams had a chance of qualifying for the knock out stages, but Mexico had not scored yet in the tournament. A draw may be enough for Argentina, but Saudi Arabia would go through if they won. Poland needed just a draw. But the Poland-Argentina game was interesting from another perspective, with 2 top strikers on opposing teams, Messi for Argentina and Lewandoski for Poland.
Poland had the better of the early exchanges, with Lewandowski pulling the ball back for Beilek whose shot was blocked. On 6 minutes, Messi had his first opportunity, but his shot from just outside the box did not test Szczesny, Poland's goalkeeper. 3 minutes later, Messi shot again, this time bringing a good save from Szczesny at the near post. The match was being played at high tempo with both teams seemingly capable of breaking the deadlock; however, half-way through the first half, both teams slowed the ball down and tried to build slowly from the back. On 28 minutes, both Álvarez and Acuña had shots on the Argentinian goal, but neither shot succeeded. Seconds later, Martínez in Argentine's goal saved well when a high ball bounced in his box deceiving the onrushing Polish forward. On 35 minutes, Argentina claimed a penalty after they claimed Messi was fouled by Szczesny with VAR asking the referee to review it, which he did before awarding a penalty. However, Messi's strong shot was saved well by Szczesny (Messi's 2nd penalty saved in the tournament). Still 0-0 although Poland were under the cosh. On 40 minutes, Messi crossed low into Poland's box but nobody was on hand to connect. Álvarez also got a shot in but Szczesny parried the shot. Could Poland hang on until half-time? 3 minutes added time. And 6 minutes added time in the other match between Saudi Arabia and Mexico, with the Middle Eastern team ending the half on the ascendancy despite Mexico having been in tactical control. HT 0-0 in both matches so, as things currently stand, both Poland and Argentina would progress. Just 60 seconds into the second half and Argentina went ahead through a right-footed strike by MacAllister. 1-0 to Argentina, who continued to press. Meanwhile, in the other group game, Mexico had taken a 2-0 lead over Saudi Arabia courtesy of goals from Martin on 47 minutes and Chávez on 52 minutes. That meant that Argentina were now topping the group from Poland; however, if Mexico were to get a 3rd goal, they would leapfrog Poland into 2nd place. Poland, in addition to making 2 substitutions at half-time, made another with just under 30 minutes left on the clock as they were not making much inroads against the South American champions. On 67 minutes, Argentina scored their second goal with Álvarez shooting into the top right corner. 2-0 to Argentina who had rediscovered their form which had deserted them earlier in the tournament. Portugal were hanging on, anxious concerning the other match too. 6 added minutes announced. Drama to the end - Argentina's Tagliafico had a shot saved off the line by Kiwior! If that had gone on, Poland would have been on the next plane home... There was a great moment towards the end, near the centre circle, when Lewandowski was trying to dispossess Messi, the two sharp-shooters. FT 2-0 for Argentina. Meanwhile, in the other game, 7 added minutes were half-way through. Could Mexico get the 3rd goal to pip Poland to 2nd? Unbelievably, Saudi Arabia got a goal back on 95 minutes through Al Dawsari which proved to be too little, too late. FT 2-1 to Mexico.
So, Argentina go through to the knockout phase as Group C Winners (C1) and Poland as Group C Runners-up (C2).
Group D
Both matches kicked off simultaneously: France played Tunisia and Australia played Denmark. France, who had already qualified for the knockout phase were up against a team who, even if they won, could only qualify if Australia lost and they finished with a higher goal difference than Denmark. Plus, Tunisia had not scored yet in the tournament. So it was most likely that France would be joined by Australia (who only needed a draw) or Denmark (who needed to beat Australia, which they should do on paper due to their FIFA rankings. With a view on their last-16 game, France rested some of their front-line players such as Mbappe and Griezmann. Tunisia almost took the lead after 6 minutes when Ghandri got the ball in the back of the net, only for it to be ruled out for offside. In the other match, Denmark were piling on the pressure against Australia but were finding it difficult to break down their resolute defence, with Janssen's early shot saved by the Australian goalkeeper. Interestingly, hundreds of empty seats were visible around the stadium in this match, like some other group matches. Australia were not afraid to take the game to Denmark, though, and attacked when on the ball. On 28 minutes, Eriksen delivered a perfectly weighted ball down the but, ultimately, the move cane to nothing. On 30 minutes, it was still 0-0 in both matches meaning that Australia would be joining France in the knock-out phase should both scores remain the same. On 39 minutes, Australia were putting Denmark under pressure, pressing up and forcing mistakes, but they could not get quality ball into the Danish box. A couple of minutes later, Mitchell Duke shot from long range but Kasper Schmeichel in the Danish goal saved comfortably. Up the other end, Lindstrøm had a strong shot saved by the Australian goalkeeper, Ryan. 2 minutes of added time, but still time for Australia to attack down the left. HT 0-0; and 0-0 in the France-Tunisia game. Denmark needed a goal but they had not been showing enough creativity to go ahead; they needed fresh ideas for the second half. After play resumed, Denmark made one substitution. Australia forced two corners in quick succession, following which Irvine missed a great opportunity as he missed the target. On 59 minutes, Denmark made a double substitution. In the other match, on 58 minutes, Khazri scored for Tunisia against France, meaning that the North Africans would go through along with France. 1-0 to Tunisia. However, Australia had something to say about that as, just 2 minutes later, Leckie shot past Schmeichel to send Australia ahead of Tunisia in the table. 1-0 to Australia. Behich then had a good run into Denmark's box but the ball went behind. On 68 minutes, Denmark made another double substitution. On 70 minutes, Denmark thought they had a penalty but the referee blew for offside in the build-up; they needed 2 goals to qualify, an increasingly unlikely prospect. Australia had destiny in their own hands and just had to hang on for the win. 15 minutes of normal time remaining. On 87 minutes, Bah had a great opportunity to put Denmark level, but his shot was wide. There seemed almost no way back now for Denmark as Australia were holding firm. 6 minutes added on. Australia were still attacking, but so were Denmark, with Souttar immense in Australia's defence time and time again. Kasper Schmeichel cane up for a Danish corner but Ryan smothered the ball; he was in no rush to get the ball up the pitch with their goalkeeper in the Australian half. Another corner for Denmark but it is headed over. FT 1-0 to Australia and the Socceroos qualify along with France, despite their 1-0 loss to Tunisia (Griezmann thought he had equalised in the 8th minute of added time only for VAR to intervene and the referee rule it out for offside).
So, France go through to the knockout phase as Group D Winners (D1) and Australia as Group D Runners-up (D2).
The last-16 pairings to play this Sunday 4 December are France v Poland and Argentina v Australia.
Meanwhile, today's matches will see the teams in Groups E and F in action in the third day of the last group matches. In Group E, Germany play Costa Rica at the same time that Spain play Japan. In Group F, Belgium play Croatia at the same time that Canada play Morocco.
