Argentina vs Poland live: World Cup score, highlights, result from 2022 Group C match as Mac Allister and Alvarez score in second half

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Lionel Messi and Argentina are in a must-win situation when they face Poland in their final match in Group C. Messi is on a quest to win his first World Cup what looks certain to be his final appearance in the tournament, and a group-stage exit for one of the favourites would prove a massive upset.

Only a victory will guarantee the Albiceleste advance to the next round. A draw could work depending on the result between Mexico and Saudi Arabia, while a loss would see Argentina suffer a shock group stage elimination.

Poland are one point ahead of Argentina going into the final day and they have two results that will get them into the knockouts: a win or draw. They can even qualify with a loss if the tiebreakers go their way.

The match will see two stars go head-to-head in what could be the last World Cup appearance for one of them: The 35-year-old Messi matches up against 34-year-old Robert Lewandowski, who scored his first career World Cup goal against Saudi Arabia. 

Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights for Argentina vs Poland at the 2022 World Cup. Follow below for complete results from the Group C match in Qatar.

MORE: World Cup scenarios for Group C | Follow Mexico vs Saudi Arabia live

Argentina vs Poland live score

  1H 2H Final
Argentina 0 2 —
Poland 0 0 —

Goals:
ARG — Mac Allister (46′)
ARG — Alvarez (68′)

Confirmed lineups:

Argentina (4-3-3, right to left): 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 26-Molina, 13. Romero, 19. Otamendi, 8. Acuna (3. Tagliafico 59′) — 7. De Paul, 24. Fernandez (6. Pezzella 79′), 20. Mac Allister (16. Almada 84′) — 10. Messi, 9. Alvarez (22. La. Martinez 79′), 11. Di Maria (5. Paredes 59′)

Poland (4-4-2, right to left): 1. Szczesny (GK) — 2. Cash, 15. Glik, 14. Kiwior, 18. Bereszynski (3. Jędrzejczyk 72′) — 20. Zielinski, 6. Bielik (8. Szymanski 62′), 10. Krychowiak, (23. Piatek 83′), 24. Frankowski (13. Kaminski 46′) — 16. Swiderski (26. Skoras 46′), 9. Lewandowski

MORE: Watch every World Cup match live with fuboTV (U.S.-only free trial)

Team PTS GP W L D GF GA GD
1. Poland 4 2 1 0 1 2 0 +2
2. Argentina 3 2 1 1 0 3 2 +1
3. Saudi Arabia 3 2 1 1 0 2 3 -1
4. Mexico 1 2 0 1 1 0 2 -2

Argentina vs Poland live updates, highlights from 2022 World Cup

86 mins: Big moment! Jakub Kiwior’s pass is cut out by Lautaro Martinez but, with the goal at his mercy, the substitute pulls his shot wide! That could have eliminated Poland.

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84 mins: One last throw of the dice for Poland as striker Krzysztof Piątek replaces midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak for the final stages.

And a bit of Argentina history as Thiago Almada comes on, becoming the first MLS player to represent his country in a World Cup.

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81 mins: Nahuel Molina has been a useful outlet for Argentina down the right in this second half, although Lautaro Martinez, who has just come on, wanted an early cross there and is out of luck.

78 mins: Grzegorz Krychowiak goes into the book for pulling back Alexis Mac Allister. A reminder that Poland are currently heading through on the fair play ranking…

75 mins: Poland have offered virtually nothing as an attacking force so far tonight, and another goal for either Argentina or Mexico in the final stages will surely end their World Cup 2022 involvement.

73 mins: Argentina are in again as Lionel Messi sets Julian Alvarez away on the right, but he cannot find the target, firing high into the sidenetting from the angle.

71 mins: Lionel Messi could have put this one to bed there as he comes on to a cross from the left, but he fails to properly connect and Wojciech Szczesny blocks with his body.

GOAL! 68 mins: Surely Argentina have wrapped up the win! It’s a superb finish from Julian Alvarez, collecting Enzo Fernandez’s pass and firing low into the corner of the net!

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And it’s a goal that puts Poland on the brink! As it stands, they’re currently still second, but only on disciplinary points as they’re level with Mexico on points, goal difference and goals scored.

66 mins: Poland are penned in again. For all their substitutions, they’ve got neither service nor support to Robert Lewandowski.

62 mins: Another change for Poland, Damian Szymański replacing Krystian Bielik. Poland need to turn the tide and quickly.

61 mins: Argentina are looking for what would surely be a decisive second goal, Lionel Messi playing in Nicolas Tagliafico down the left and the substitute crossing for goalscorer Alexis Mac Allister, whose shot is straight at Wojciech Szczesny.

59 mins: Nicolas Tagliafico and Leandro Paredes are on for Argentina, Marcos Acuna and Angel Di Maria the players to be replaced.

56 mins: As Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi both have shots blocked, we’re hearing that Mexico are now 2-0 up on Saudi Arabia. Poland’s cushion is down to a single goal.

55 mins: Poland have certainly showed a touch more adventure since falling behind, although the flipside of that is that there’s increasingly gaps on the break for Argentina to exploit.

52 mins: That goal means Argentina are heading through as Group C winners, with Poland in second place. And there’s news from the other game, where Mexico have taken the lead. That’s good for Poland, whose position is nevertheless becoming precarious.

50 mins: And from the freekick, Piotr Zielinski zips the ball into the area where it’s met by the head of Kamil Glik, his effort flashing just past Emiliano Martinez’s right post.

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49 mins: Marcos Acuna is the first player into the book this evening, for a foul on Michal Skoras.

GOAL! 46 mins: We’ve got a goal, but it’s come for Argentina! Alex Mac Allister is the man to provide it, meeting Nahuel Molina’s fine cutback with a low finish into the far corner!

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46 mins: We’re back underway with a double change for Poland, Jakub Kaminski and Michal Skoras coming on for Przemyslaw Frankowski and Karol Swiderski.

HALFTIME: That’s the end of a breathless first half that Argentina dominated although without finding a breakthrough. Poland are heading through as group winners with their opponents in second place, but a goal in either game changes everything.

45 mins: Three more minutes to add on at the end of this half. The Argentina fans are still in full voice, although they must be wondering how their side aren’t in front.

44 mins: Angel Di Maria’s turn to threaten, the Juventus winger coming inside from the right on to his left foot, but his low shot is straight down the throat of the goalkeeper.

43 mins: Argentina continue to press, Julian Alvarez’s shot beaten out by Wojciech Szczesny, who is fortunate as the rebound loops up into his arms.

PENALTY SAVED! 39 mins: Here comes Lionel Messi, looking to score for the seventh successive Argentina game. He fires the ball to Wojciech Szczesny’s left but the goalkeeper guesses right and slaws the ball away at full length. What a save!

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PENALTY TO ARGENTINA! 38 mins: Danny Makkelie visits the VAR review area and decided the challenge from the goalkeeper on Lionel Messi is worthy of a penalty kick!

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36 mins: Wojciech Szczesny makes a good save to deny Julian Alvarez from Alexis Mac Allister’s cross but Argentina recycle possession, the goalkeeper crashing into Lionel Messi as the ball goes behind.

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33 mins: Angel Di Maria nearly catches out Wojciech Szczesny from the right wing, the goalkeeper scrambling to touch over his cross-shot at full stretch.

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32 mins: Robert Lewandowski is incredibly isolated here. Absolutely feeding off scraps, with the service and support nothing like good enough.

29 mins: That’s as close as Argentina have come. Julian Alvarez’s shot is blocked but Marcos Acuna – who’s never scored for his country – latches on to loose ball and fires just past the post from the edge of the area.

27 mins: Poland just can’t get out at the moment. They’ve got everyone back inside their own half and no out ball means there’s no way to relieve the pressure.

24 mins: Argentina have Poland penned back again but the weight of numbers means it is proving hard to find any space.

21 mins: Poland seem to have weathered the early Argentina storm, although they’ll be looking to get more service into Robert Lewandowski.

17 mins: Wonderful pass from Lionel Messi to play in Marcos Acuna down the left. The Argentina midfield cuts back on to his left foot, but cannot keep the shot down.

15 mins: Piotr Zielinski’s square pass is cut out by Enzo Fernandez, who leads the Argentina counter. He opts to try to find Julian Alvarez in the box, but his pass is too heavy.

13 mins: It’s been a rapid start from Argentina, but there’s plenty of space in behind them if Poland can win the ball back. Good, open start to this game.

10 mins: Another Lionel Messi shot, this time on his left foot from the left side; again Wojciech Szczesny is equal to it, blocking at his near post.

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7 mins: Lionel Messi loses the ball on the edge of the Poland area but wins it back. With defenders closing in he tries a right-foot shot, but Wojciech Szczesny is able to make a comfortable save.

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5 mins: Good chance for Poland now, Robert Lewandowski doing well on the right of the penalty area and pulling the ball back for Krystian Bielik, who fails to make a clean connection and the shot is blocked.

3 mins: In a heavily pro-Argentina atmosphere they’ve made a positive start, winning an early corner. Lionel Messi doesn’t beat the first man but Argentina regain possession and Nicolas Otamendi gets a headed chance at the far post that he steers wide.

KICKOFF: Poland get us started. A quick reminder of the Group C scenario; Poland lead the way on four points, one above both Argentina and Saudi Arabia. The European side will progress with a draw while Argentina need a win to make sure of reaching the last 16; both will go through if they draw and Saudi Arabia-Mexico also ends all square.

5 mins from kickoff: The teams are in the tunnel, and Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski lead them out on to the pitch. Kickoff is moments away.

7 mins from kickoff: Lionel Messi can add two more landmarks to his bulging collection today. He’s making his 22nd World Cup finals appearance, a new Argentina record; only Lothar Matthaus (25 matches), Miroslav Klose (24) and Paolo Maldini (23) have more.

Messi has scored in six successive Argentina games, hitting 12 goals in that run. He has never found the net in seven international matches in a row.

10 mins from kickoff: Poland are looking to reach the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time since 1986, when they qualified as one of the best third-placed teams despite losing their last group game 3-0 to England. Furthermore, they’re aiming to keep a clean sheet in four successive World Cup matches for the first time.

15 mins from kickoff: The main men.

20 mins from kickoff: Argentina have won six of their 11 games against Poland although they lost the most recent, a 2-1 friendly defeat in June 2011.

This is the teams’ third meeting at a World Cup. Poland were 3-2 winners in the 1974 group stage, Grzegorz Lato scoring twice, before Argentina won 2-0 in the second group stage four years later thanks to a Mario Kempes double.

25 mins from kickoff: Plenty of Argentina fans at the Stadium 975 judging from this reception!

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30 mins from kickoff: As ever, Argentina will be looking to their number ten to inspire them.

40 mins from kickoff: Better late than never, here’s how Argentina line up for this one.

50 mins from kickoff: Poland have made one change to the side who beat Saudia Arabia, Karol Swiderski replacing Arkadiusz Milik up front.

Cristian Romero, Nahuel Molina, Enzo Fernandez and Julian Alvarez all come in for Argentina, with Lisandro Martinez, Gonzalo Montiel, Guido Rodriguez and Lautaro Martinez dropping to the bench.

1 hr from kickoff: Poland have announced their team and, despite suggestions they could switch to three at the back, it looks like they may be playing 4-4-2:

1 hr 10 mins from kickoff: Argentina have arrived at the stadium. Cue moody arrival shots!

1 hr 15 mins from kickoff: Could tonight be the end for Lionel Messi at the World Cup?

1 hr 25 mins from kickoff: Inside the Poland dressing room ahead of this one.

1 hr 45 mins from kickoff: It’s all over in Group D, meaning Argentina and Poland have prospective opponents. If either side wins tonight, they will be on course to top Group C and face Australia in the last 16. The Socceroos stunned a much-fancied Denmark side to take second spot behind France. Despite being beaten 1-0 by Tunisia, Didier Deschamps’ side will take on the Group C runners-up.

2 hrs 15 mins from kickoff: Lionel Messi is poised to play his 22nd game at the World Cup, a new record for Argentina after matching Diego Maradona’s previous best mark with his match-winning turn last time out. Lothar Matthaus (25), Miroslav Klose (24) and Paolo Maldini (23) remain ahead of him. With a run to the final Messi could overhaul them all.

2 hrs 40 mins from kickoff: The opponents for Argentina and Poland, should they progress to the last 16, will come from Group D. France are more or less home and hosed as group winners, hence Didier Deschamps’ decision to make nine changes against Tunisia. Wahbi Khazri gave the North African side the lead against Les Bleus, to put them up to second place in the group. But then Mathew Leckie put Australia ahead against a much-fancied Denmark side. If things stay that way, the Socceroos will be the opponents for the Group C winners.

3 hrs 15 mins from kickoff: Enzo Fernandez impressed off the bench against Mexico and the Benfica sealed victory with a sublime goal. Will Lionel Scaloni be tempted to throw him in from the start?

3 hrs 45 mins from kickoff: Poland are top of the group on goal difference after a curious tournament so far. Lewandowski had a penalty saved in the opening 0-0 draw against Mexico, while they were outplayed for long periods but displayed a clinical edge before beating Saudi Arabia 2-0.

4 hrs 15 mins from kickoff: So here we are again with Lionel Messi, needing a result in the final group game to progress to the knockout stages. He was in a similar scenario in 2018, when chaos ensured. Find out more below in one of the chapters from our Messi & Ronaldo: Destination Mundial series.

Messi & Ronaldo: Destination Mundial pt 10

Getty Images/Sporting News

MORE: Messi & Ronaldo: Destination Mundial | Part 10: Mutiny

4 hrs 45 mins from kickoff: Since the 2018 World Cup last-16 loss to France, Argentina have faced only three European sides. Germany (2-2 draw), Italy (3-0 win in Finalissima) and Estonia (5-0 in friendly).

5 hrs from kickoff: If Argentina are going to pull off qualification to the round of 16, they’re going to be doing it dressed in purple:

You’ve got to believe there’s someone on the team that’s aware of this:

Argentina vs Poland lineups, team news

Manager Lionel Scaloni restored right-back Nahuel Molina and central defender Cristian Romero, who were both dropped after the loss to Saudi Arabia but returned to the first XI to face Poland.

Enzo Fernandez got a start after scoring off the bench in the last match against Mexico, while Julian Alvarez was preferred to Lautaro Martinez up front.

Argentina (4-3-3, right to left): 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 26-Molina, 13. Romero, 19. Otamendi, 8. Acuna — 7. De Paul, 24. Fernandez, 20. Mac Allister  — 10. Messi, 9. Alvarez, 11. Di Maria

Poland had been expected go to a more conservative lineup against Argentina’s attacking firepower after lining up with two forwards in a 3-5-2 against Saudi Arabia, but in the event Feyenoord’s Sebastian Szymasnki and Wolfsburg’s Jakub Kaminski, who might have been options to reinforce at the back, both began on the bench.

Poland (4-4-2, right to left): 1. Szczesny (GK) — 2. Cash, 15. Glik, 14. Kiwior, 18. Bereszynski — 20. Zielinski, 6. Bielik, 10. Krychowiak, 24. Frankowski — 16. Swiderski, 9. Lewandowski

Argentina vs Poland live stream, TV channel

This final Group C match will be played at Stadium 974. Here’s how you can watch all the action in some of the major global territories.

  Date Time TV Channel Streaming
USA Wed, Nov. 30 14:00 ET Fox
Universo		 fuboTV,
Fox Sports site/app,
Universo Now,
Peacock
Canada Wed, Nov. 30 14:00 ET TSN , RDS 1 (French) TSN site/app,
RDS app
UK Wed, Nov. 30 19:00 GMT BBC One BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website
Australia Thu, Dec. 1 06:00 AEDT SBS SBS On Demand
India Thu, Dec. 1 00:30 IST Sports18 Voot, JioTV
Hong Kong Thu, Dec. 1 03:00 HKT Now TV (Ch. 616, 618) Now TV
Malaysia Thu, Dec. 1 03:00 MYT Astro Arena 2 Astro GO
Singapore Thu, Dec. 1 03:00 SGT StarHub FIFA World Cup,
Singtel FIFA World Cup 141		 Singtel TV GO, CAST,
StarHub TV+, MeWatch
New Zealand Thu, Dec. 1 08:00 NZDT Sky Sport 7 beIN Sports Sky Go, Sky Sport NOW

Watch the match on fuboTV in USA:

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