📰 Table Of Contents
Accumulator of the day:
Acca of the day
Group C table:
Poland vs Argentina
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After losing their opening match, Argentina simply had to win their two remaining group games and 50% of that mission has been achieved.
On Saturday, following that shocking defeat at the hands of Saudi Arabia, la Albiceleste were under serious pressure against Mexico.
In a game of few chances, gorgeous second half strikes from Lionel Messi, who else, and then Enzo Fernández snatched the points.
So now, if Lionel Scaloni’s team win here, they’ll almost certainly win the group, which would represent some turnaround.
A draw would also take the Copa América champions through, unless Saudi Arabia a victorious or Mexico win by 3+ goals simultaneously; they don’t want to run that risk!
Poland meanwhile start to night in first place, but need a result here to reach the round of 16 for the first time since 1986.
Piotr Zieliński broke the deadlock, but they needed Wojciech Szczęsny to spectacularly save a penalty, as well as the subsequent rebound.
Then, late on, Robert Lewandowski sealed the points with his first-ever World Cup goal, punishing some charitable defending.
So, Poland are yet to concede a goal at this tournament and, if that remains true, they’ll be through.
If the Eagles are beaten, they’ll still advance if the other game is a draw, or Mexico only win narrowly.
So, will both teams be delighted come full time at Stadium 974?
Saudi Arabia vs Mexico
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Mexico haven’t been eliminated in the World Cup group stages since 1978, but that statistic might be about to change.
El Tri are yet to score and have just one point on the board, drawing 0-0 with Poland before Saturday night’s 2-0 reverse against Argentina.
Across the two games, Mexico’s xG have been a measly 0.91, emphasising that they’ve had pretty much no clear-cut chances in over three hours of play.
Tata Martino was already an unpopular Head Coach and, if they are eliminated after this one, expect a comunicado oficial on Thursday morning.
Saudi Arabia meantime, against all odds, beat Argentina in their first game, before coming crashing back down to earth.
On Saturday, the Green Falcons were beaten 2-0 by Poland, despite creating all the chances, notably Salem Al-Dawsari seeing a penalty saved.
This has seen Hervé Renard’s team slip down to third, needing points to take Saudi Arabia out of a group for the first time since 1994.
They will qualify with a victory, although a draw might be enough, depending on the other result; it could get complicated!
For Mexico, they simply must win, although it is possible that el Tri are victorious and still don’t get through.
Will either side, or possibly neither, be celebrating at Lusail Iconic Stadium?
Group D table:
Australia vs Denmark
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Unless Tunisia beat France, which really would throw the cat amongst the pigeons, this is a straight shootout to qualify.
Against all odds, it’s actually Australia who kick off second in Group D, needing just a draw to remain there.
First up, despite taking an early lead, the Socceroos looked out of the depth, hammered 4-1 by France.
But then, on Saturday, they ended their 12-year wait for a World Cup win, beating Tunisia 1-0 in Al Wakrah.
Riley McGree’s left-footed cross taking numerous deflections before being expertly headed home by Mitch Duke.
So now, if Graham Arnold’s team draw this game, and Tunisia don’t win simultaneously, they’ll reach the last 16, matching their best-ever run.
Denmark meantime, who were widely expected to cruise through this group, simply must win.
De Rød-Hvide could only draw with Tunisia in their opener, before a narrow defeat to France at the weekend.
Andreas Christensen’s stooping header looked like it would earn his side a point, only for the world champions to win it late on.
Kasper Hjulmand’s team reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020, but are now on the verge of an ignominious group stage exit here.
Will Denmark’s quality see them to victory, or will it be an historic night for Australia at Al Janoub Stadium?
Tunisia vs France
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France need just a point from this game to rubber stamp top spot, and are highly likely to get it.
Didier Deschamps have won both matches so far, battering Australia 4-1 before edging out Denmark 2-1 on Saturday.
Only once before, on home soil in 1998, have les Bleus won all three group games, one of which was a 2-1 victory over the Danes, going on to win the tournament back then.
Right now, France need just a point to finish first, but have already done enough unless Australia win emphatically simultaneously.
So, can Tunisia capitalise and beat the nation they gained independence from in 1956?
The Eagles of Carthage have never reached the round of 16, but were in a decent position to change that when they drew 0-0 with Denmark on matchday one.
However, Jalel Kadri’s team could not build on that, beaten 1-0 by the Socceroos at the weekend.
Thus, Tunisia must win here and hope for a draw or a narrow Denmark victory in the other game.
The second half of that equation is far from impossible, but beating the world champions is easier said than done.
Will Education City Stadium witness an historic upset?
