FIFA World Cup : Poland vs Argentina

 In a pivotal game, title contender Argentina clashed with Poland in their last group game, & both teams started rather tentatively, but Argentina got into business quickly & Julian Alvarez had his effort blocked & Acuna following up flashed the rebound wide. Polish keeper Szczesny was the star thwarting all Argentinian attempts one after the other. In one such save, after a VAR check, referee pointed to the dreaded spot (dubious decision in my opinion & the match commentators / panel also felt the same). The keeper had clattered into Messi alright, but his jump was qualified, & the ball had already bumped away, so no way was he blocking the striker. Messi stepped in to take the spot kick, but his booming drive was fisted out safely for a corner - probably the best save of the tournament till now. With this, Szczesny has already made two spot kick saves in the tournament, & that makes him the 3rd keeper ever in a World Cup to do so. Waves of attack by Argentina with around 14 attempts at goal, while Poland have defended dourly, thanks to their keeper. 

2nd half started in blistering fashion & within a minute of start, Alexis MacAllister netted his first international goal for Argentina with a neat placement which beat arguably the best keeper till now in the tournament, to get the vital lead. Argentina, not satisfied with the lead, kept pressing hard, as Polish players looked completely dazed & Lewandowski was a pedestrian upfront. With Poland defense split open time & again, Messi fed an excellent pass into the box & Alvarez blasted the ball inot the far corner of the net to take the score to 2-0. The pounding at the Polish defense continued, & for a while it felt that Poland had given up & but for their keeper, they would've lost the game by 5 or 6 goals. 

Poland are lucky to qualify by the skin of their teeth, despite being on same points with Mexico, the goal difference came into play. They now face France in the knock out stage, but their game provides no hope for now. The coach doesn't have a plan B & its a very drab effort really. 

Argentina look dangerous now, with their game getting better & better, with Messi looking as the key playmaker with a lot of good talent around him.  They now face Australia in the round of 16