World Cup daily: Upset Argentina flips Group C on its head

Going into Tuesday’s match slate, most people had Argentina and Poland scored in the round of 16 because of their superstar strikers, Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski. At the end of the day, Argentina and Poland had only one point between them.

Here’s everything that happened at the 2022 FIFA World Cup today.

Argentina are still alive in the tournament after Tuesday’s shocking result. Unfortunately, that’s where the good news ends for The Albiceleste.

History tells us that it’s incredibly difficult to get out of the group stage when you lose your first game, let alone win the World Cup – only Spain (2010) have managed the latter. Argentina’s next opponents, 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, he could be under even more pressure to deliver results against Mexico and Poland than before now that qualification for the knockout stages is a real possibility. But for now, Saudi Arabia are reeling from the fact that they have beaten one of the tournament favorites, and arguably the greatest player of all time.

Whether Denmark really is 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 stoppage of Kasper Schmeichel, he would have entered his game against France (11 a.m. ET on FS1 and the FOX Sports app) requiring 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 Where Australia the last day of group play.

Mexico’s goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa leaves the pitch after the World Cup Group C soccer match between Mexico and Poland at 974 Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Tuesday, November 22, 2022.
(AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Although it was technically a scoreless draw on neutral ground, it’s safe to say Mexican fans will remember Tuesday’s game more fondly than Poland’s. Not only Memo Ochoa block professional striker Robert Lewandowski from the spot, but the Mexican fans had the 974 stadium resembling Estadio Azteca. It’s the kind of momentum you want as a team to face a motivated Lionel Messi on Saturday.

Kylian Mbappe of France celebrates after scoring against Australia in the World Cup Group D soccer match between France and Australia at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar on Tuesday 22nd November 2022 .
(AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Australia opened the scoring in the ninth minute on Tuesday, but France quickly responded with two of their own and added two more in the second half. In France’s two flurries of goals, the 36-year-old Olivier Giroud scored and his second goal did Blues‘ top scorer of all time alongside Thierry Henry.

With a win against Australia and a scoreless draw in the second leg of Group C, France are alone at the top of their group. Unless unforeseen, it should be the first nation since 2006 to qualify for the round of 16 after winning the previous World Cup.

GOAL OF THE DAY

The only thing more special than Saudi Arabia’s win over Argentina was the goal that sealed it for them.

SUPPORT OF THE DAY

It’s not that the assist itself was spectacular – France had two more like it against Australia. It shows Ousmane Dembele broke free to pass the ball to Kylian Mbappe. When Dembele is healthy, he is a threat from these positions.

SAVE OF THE DAY

Every four years, Memo Ochoa gets called up to the World Cup roster and makes the most ridiculous saves. On Tuesday, his legend continued with the first penalty save without a penalty shootout by a Mexican goalkeeper since 1966. « San Memo », indeed.

TIME TO SEE

Argentina almost salvaged a point from their game against Saudi Arabia, but Abdullah Al-Amri erased by Julian Alvarez attempt from outside the goal line with his head.

Considering the magnitude of the victory that followed, there was no bigger game of the day.

What is tomorrow’s challenge

Luka Modric was the worthy winner of the 2018 World Cup Golden Ball. Can he find that magic again with Croatia at 37? We will find out on Wednesday.

Germany are back at the World Cup after being knocked out in the group stage in 2014. Even with key players such as Marco Reus and Timo Werner injured, they will be a threat to make a deep run in the tournament. Do not sleep Japan either, however; the Samurai Blue are still competitive at the tournament.

Spain will usher in a new generation against Costa Rica led by FC Barcelona stars Pedri, Gavi and Ansu Fati. We’ll see if this lack of World Cup experience hurts La Roja in any way.

Belgium and Croatia are the safe bets to get out of Group F, but Canada will go hungry in his first World Cup appearance since 1986. Alphonse Davies on the left side of the field.