World Cup

[monks data]

World Cup | Group Stage

Nov 30, 2022 at 7pm UK

National Stadium

Poland
0 - 2
Argentina

Krychowiak (78')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Mac Allister (46'), Alvarez (67')
Acuna (49')

World Cup 2022: Reasons for Poland to be confident of beating Argentina

By Ben Sully

Published: November 29 2022 | 16:04

Last updated: November 29 2022 | 23:46

Ahead of Poland's game against Argentina, Sports Mole looks at three reasons why Poland will be confident of beating their South American opponents.

After beating Saudi Arabia 2-0 in their second group game, Poland have the chance to qualify for the knockout stages of World Cup 2022.

Piotr Zielinski opened the scoring against Saudi Arabia before Robert Lewandowski finally scored his first-ever World Cup goal to wrap up the victory.

Poland will now turn their attention to a difficult final group game against Argentina where a win or a draw would secure their passage to the last 16, while a defeat would bring a number of different permutations into play.

Here, Sports Mole, looks at three reasons why Poland will be confident of beating Argentina on Wednesday.

Strong defence

Poland's Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates on November 26, 2022 © Reuters

With Poland set to face an Argentina side that can call upon a number of high-quality players, including Lionel Messi, Angel di Maria and Lautaro Martinez, they know that their defence will be put to the test.

Fortunately for the European side, they have demonstrated in their opening two games that they are a tough team to break down after beginning the tournament with consecutive clean sheets.

They have also gone four matches without conceding after recording shutouts in a UEFA Nations League win over Wales and a victory against Chile in a friendly.

Although Poland failed to progress to the knockout round in 2018, they kept Japan at bay in their final group game, which has helped them record three straight shutouts at the tournament, and they now have the chance to claim four consecutive World Cup clean sheets for the very first time.

Argentina's recent European struggles

Argentina's Lionel Messi looks dejected after Saudi Arabia score their first goal on November 22, 2022 © Reuters

Four years ago in Russia, Argentina faced European opposition on two occasions, losing to both Croatia and the eventual winners France.

Although the South Americans ultimately did enough to progress to their knockout rounds, in their second group game, they were thrashed 3-0 by Croatia with Ante Rebic, Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic all finding the net.

Another European nation awaited them in the last 16 when they faced France, and despite coming from a goal down to take a 2-1 lead, a Benjamin Pavard equaliser and a Kylian Mbappe strike brace turned the game on its head, while a Sergio Aguero goal in stoppage time came too little too late for Argentina who fell to a 4-3 defeat.

Poland can draw inspiration from those two results, although they have to be mindful of the fact that Argentina have never lost three consecutive World Cup games against European sides.

Importance of Lewandowski

Lewandowski lifted a weight off his shoulders with his strike against Saudi Arabia, registering his first World Cup goal in his fifth game at the tournament.

While that milestone has been reached, Lewandowski will be desperate to add to his tally, and his goalscoring prowess will be needed on Wednesday.

Although Argentina will be expected to dominate possession, when chances come their way, Poland will be hoping that the man who has scored 77 goals in 136 international appearances for his country will be on hand to make the most of those opportunities.

Having scored 18 goals in 19 games for Barcelona this season, the 34-year-old is certainly in fine form ahead of a massive game against Argentina.