Poland vs Argentina: Magical Messi to help seal last-16 spot
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World Cup 2022: Poland vs Argentina odds, preview and tips
A thrilling Group C ends on Wednesday night when top-two Poland and Argentina meet looking to book their place in the knockout stage, although one of these nations could fail to reach the last 16 of the World Cup.
Poland’s 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia sent them to the top of the group with four points, while Argentina made amends for their shock defeat by the Falcons on Saturday when Lionel Messi’s superb strike inspired a 2-0 win against Mexico.
The Argentina winning odds are 4/9 to see off Poland, who are priced at 7/1 and the draw is available at 3/1.
Momentum with Argentina
The South Americans were second favourites to win the World Cup for a third time before a ball had been kicked and without the introduction of VAR would have six points after they had three goals ruled out for offside in the first half against the Saudis.
They struggled to break down Mexico in the first half of their second group game only for Messi to break the deadlock with a moment of magic from distance before substitute Enzo Fernandez sealed the points with an equally brilliant finish.
The Poles started with a lacklustre goalless draw with Mexico and rode their luck against the Saudis on Saturday when they conceded a soft penalty which was saved by Wojciech Szczesny to preserve their lead, with Robert Lewandwski later capitalising on a defensive error to score his first goal at the World Cup finals.
Poland just need a draw to qualify for the knockout stage for the first time in 36 years, but this is a limited team, Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski aside, and we suspect Argentina will eventually break them down and win with under 3.5 match goals at 19/20 in the World Cup odds which would leave Lewandowski and co sweating on the outcome of the clash between Saudi Arabia and Mexico.
Poles to park bus
Mexico exposed Argentina’s limitations with a dogged first-half display and it could be a similar opening 45 minutes on Wednesday when the Poles are expected to sit deep and absorb the pressure.
Although Argentina suffered possibly their most humiliating defeat in World Cup history, they absolutely dominated the first 45 minutes against the Saudis and were undone by two inspirational moments, especially Salem Aldawsari’s brilliant second.
Poland will only come out of their shells if they concede and that may not happen until the second half, so Draw HT/Argentina FT at 13/5 in the World Cup betting is our next selection.
Flying Fernandez can repeat trick
Fernandez made a sensational impact from off the bench when he curled in Argentina’s clincher with three minutes remaining, his first goal for his country.
The Benfica midfielder came on for Guido Rodriguez before the hour and could be rewarded with a place in the starting line-up.
It’s worth checking the teams an hour before kick-off in this market, but Fernandez to score any time at 4/1 is the last of our Poland vs Argentina betting tips.
Match Info
Where: Stadium 974, Doha
When: 19:00, Wednesday 30th November
How to watch: BBC
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
