World Cup Diary: Surprised Argentina turn Group C upside down
Going into Tuesday’s game list, most people had Argentina Y Poland scored in the round of 16 due to their superstar forwards, Lionel Messi Y Robert Lewandowski. At the end of the day, Argentina and Poland had just one point between them.
Here is everything that happened at the 2022 FIFA World Cup today.
Argentina is still alive in the tournament after Tuesday’s shocking result. Unfortunately, that’s where the good news ends for La Albiceleste.
History tells us that getting out of the group stage is incredibly difficult when you lose your first game, let alone win the World Cup; only Spain (2010) has achieved the latter. Argentina’s next rivals, Mexico and Poland are beatable, but as we saw on Tuesday, so is Argentina.
It’s not all good news for Saudi Arabia either. Ironically, they could be under even more pressure for results against Mexico and Poland than before, now that qualification for the round of 16 is a real possibility. But for now, Saudi Arabia is reeling from the fact that it defeated one of the tournament’s favorites, and arguably the greatest player of all time.
Yes Denmark is really a dark horse to win the tournament, it didn’t look like it on Tuesday. In fact, if it hadn’t been for an incredible save from Kasper Schmeichel, would have entered his game against France (11 a.m. ET on FS1 and the FOX Sports App) needing all three points. Dark horse or not, Denmark need to be better in their last two games if they are to avoid a potential tiebreaker with Tunisia either Australia on the last day of group play.
Although it was technically a goalless draw at neutral ground, it’s safe to say that fans in Mexico will remember Tuesday’s match more fondly than the one in Poland. He not only did memo ochoa blocked pro scorer Robert Lewandowski from the spot, but Mexico fans had Estadio 974 sounding like Estadio Azteca. That’s the kind of momentum you want as a team going up against a motivated Lionel Messi on Saturday.
Australia opened the scoring in the ninth minute on Tuesday, but France responded quickly with two of their own and added two more in the second half. During France’s two scoring bursts, the 36-year-old Olivier Giroud scored, and his second goal did the bluesAll-time top scorer with Thierry Henry.
With a win against Australia and a goalless draw in the other leg of Group C, France sit alone at the top of their group. Barring unforeseen events, they should be the first nation since 2006 to qualify for the knockout phase after winning the previous World Cup.
GOAL OF THE DAY
The only thing more special than Saudi Arabia’s victory over Argentina was the goal that sealed it for them.
ASSISTANCE OF THE DAY
Not that the attendance itself was spectacular – France had two more like that against Australia. Sample Ousmane Dembele broke free to pass the ball to kylian mbappe. When Dembélé is healthy, he is a threat from those positions.
SAVING OF THE DAY
Every four years, memo ochoa he is called up to the World Cup roster and makes the most ridiculous saves. On Tuesday, his legend continued with the first penalty save without penalty kicks by a Mexican goalkeeper since 1966. “San Memo,” indeed.
ESSENTIAL MOMENT
Argentina almost saved a point from their clash with Saudi Arabia, but Abdullah Al-Amri clear by Julian Alvarez attempt from outside the finish line with the head.
Given the magnitude of the victory that followed, there was no bigger play of the day.
What is at stake for tomorrow
Luka modric was the worthy winner of the Ballon d’Or at the 2018 World Cup. Can he recapture that magic with Croatia at the age of 37? We will know on Wednesday.
Germany is back in the World Cup after being knocked out in the group stage in 2014. Even with key players like Marco Reus Y Timo Werner injured, they will be a threat to make a deep run in the tournament. do not sleep Japan ok though; the Samurai Blue are always competitive in the tournament.
Spain give way to a new generation against Costa Rica led by stars of FC Barcelona Pedro, gavi Y Ansu Fati. We’ll see if that lack of World Cup experience hurts La Roja.
Belgium and Croatia are the sure bets to get out of Group F, but Canada will be hungry in his first World Cup appearance since 1986. Watch out for alfonso davies on the left side of the field.