World Cup Saturday Recap: Lionel Messi and Argentina triumph vs. Mexico, while France continues 2018 title defense

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Mohamed Messara/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (13638669gf) Lionel Messi of Argetnina celebrates scoring the 1-0 goal with his teammates during the FIFA World Cup 2022 group C soccer match between Argentina and Mexico at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, 26 November 2022. FIFA World Cup 2022 – Group C Argentina vs Mexico, Lusail, Qatar – 26 Nov 2022

World Cup Saturday Recap: Lionel Messi and Argentina triumph vs. Mexico, while France continues 2018 title defense

2022 World Cup Groups:

  • Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
  • Group B: England, Iran, USA, Wales
  • Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
  • Group D: France, Australia, Denmark, Tunisia
  • Group E: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Japan
  • Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
  • Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
  • Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea

Recapping the Saturday action:

AUSTRALIA 1, TUNISIA 0

  • What: World Cup, Group Stage (D): Matchday 2 of 3
  • When: Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022 @ 4 a.m. CT
  • Where: Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah, Qatar)
  • FIFA World Ranking: Tunisia (No. 30) vs. Australia (No. 38)

Australia took advantage of an early header from Mitchell Duke in the 23rd minute and held on for a much-needed 1-0 victory over Tunisia on Saturday at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar. It was the Aussies’ first World Cup victory in 12 years – and just their third win in six total World Cup appearances – and they now move into second place in the Group D standings after France defeated Denmark 2-1 in the other Group D contest on the day. Tunisia played sound soccer throughout the game but failed to capitalize on its opportunities when it mattered the most. The Tunisians finished the game with advantages over Australia in time of possession (58% to 42%), total shots (14 to nine), shots on goal (four to two), and corner kicks (five to two), but Australia never relinquished defensively behind four saves from 30-year-old goalkeeper Mathew Ryan of Copenhagen. The Socceroos of Australia will now find themselves in dog fights come Wednesday, Nov. 30, for Matchday 3 against Denmark. An outright win in this match will surely qualify either side for the knockout stage, although I expect the Danish to triumph.

Next – Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022 (Matchday 3 of 3)

Group D: France (No. 4) vs. Tunisia (No. 30)

When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Education City Stadium (Doha, Qatar)

Group D: Denmark (No. 10) vs. Australia (No. 38)

When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah, Qatar)


POLAND 2, SAUDI ARABIA 0

  • What: World Cup, Group Stage (C): Matchday 2 of 3
  • When: Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022 @ 7 a.m. CT
  • Where: Education City Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
  • FIFA World Ranking: Poland (No. 26) vs. Saudi Arabia (No. 51)

Polish megastar Robert Lewandowski finally shook the World Cup monkey off his back. The 34-year-old forward from Barcelona scored his first-ever World Cup goal en route to Poland’s 2-0 victory over upstart Saudi Arabia in Group C’s Matchday 2 play on Saturday at Education City Stadium in Doha, Qatar. Lewandowski, who was blanked in three World Cup matches in 2018 against Colombia, Senegal, and Japan, scored in the 82nd minute to give his nation a commanding 2-0 lead and an ever-important three points in the Group C standings. It was a bittersweet performance for Saudi Arabia, despite the loss. The Saudis completely dominated offensively throughout the contest, holding clear edges in time of possession (64% to 36%), total shots (16 to nine), shots on goal (five to three), and set pieces (five to four). In the end, however, it came down to premium goalkeeping and timely goals for the Polish side. Wojciech Szczesny tallied a game-high five saves, while 28-year-old midfielder Piortr Zielinski of Napoli added a score in the 39th minute to give Poland a 1-0 lead heading into the halftime break. Poland now sits in first place atop the Group C standings with four points, while Argentina (three) and Saudi Arabia (three) vie for the second qualifying spot. Poland would clinch a spot in the knockout stage with a draw versus Argentina on Wednesday, Nov. 30, but could still get in even with a loss and some good fortunes in the tiebreaker department. Not a single team has been eliminated just yet, so expect a ton of drama and tension on the pitch come Matchday 3 in this group.

Next – Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022 (Matchday 3 of 3)

Group C: Mexico (No. 13) vs. Saudi Arabia (No. 51)

When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail, Qatar)

Group C: Argentina (No. 3) vs. Poland (No. 26)

When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Stadium 974, (Doha, Qatar)


FRANCE 2, DENMARK 1

  • What: World Cup, Group Stage (D): Matchday 2 of 3
  • When: Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022 @ 10 a.m. CT
  • Where: Stadium 974 (Doha, Qatar)
  • FIFA World Ranking:  France (No. 4) vs. Denmark (No. 10)

Kylian Mbappé continued his World Cup glory from 2018 with another two scores on Saturday against Denmark in France’s 2-1 victory at Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar. The 23-year-old Mbappé of PSG now has a whopping seven world cup goals and three in this tournament through two matches already. The 5-foot-10 forward scored in the 61st and 86th minutes to overcome an elite Danish defense and make France the first team to qualify for the knockout stage amongst all 32 nations in the 2022 World Cup. A header from Denmark’s Andreas Christensen evened the score at 1-1 in the 68th minute, just five minutes after France’s first goal, but it wasn’t enough to earn three points in the end. Denmark now has just one point – and one goal scored – through two matches of Group D play, surely a disappointing start to the No. 10-ranked Danes who came into this World Cup with lofty, if not trophy-lifting, expectations. Denmark possessed the ball slightly more than France but were not the aggressors in the match, holding a 52% to 48% possession edge despite being out mustered by the defending champ French on total shots (21 to 10), shots on goal (seven to two) and corners (six to four). 

Next – Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022 (Matchday 3 of 3)

Group D: France (No. 4) vs. Tunisia (No. 30)

When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Education City Stadium (Doha, Qatar)

Group D: Denmark (No. 10) vs. Australia (No. 38)

When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah, Qatar)


ARGENTINA 2, MEXICO 0

  • What: World Cup, Group Stage (C): Matchday 2 of 3
  • When: Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022 @ 1 p.m. CT
  • Where: Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail, Qatar)
  • FIFA World Ranking: Argentina (No. 3) vs. Mexico (No. 13)

Lionel Messi continued to build upon an already storied soccer career with the would-be game-winning goal in Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Mexico on Saturday at Lusail Iconic Stadium in Lusail, Qatar. Messi’s goal in the 64th minute gave Argentina the breathing room it needed to hold off a lethargic Mexican attack and hold on for a much-needed win and three points in the Group C standings. Argentine substitute and 21-year-old midfielder Enzo Fernández added a second score in the 87th minute to put things away for the White and Sky Blues of Argentina, who is now tied for second place with Saudi Arabia in the Group C standings and just one point behind first-place Poland. A victory over Poland on Matchday 3 would qualify Messi and company for the knockout elimination stage, although a draw could still be enough to push Argentina through. There’s a viable path to all four teams still qualifying, making Wednesday, Nov. 30, an ever-important date for the fate of Messi’s final World Cup campaign. Argentina played steady, but not superior, on Saturday, holding small edges in possession (58% to 42%), total shots (five to four), shots on goal (two to one), and corner kicks (four to two). Mexico’s offensive struggles from CONCACAF qualifying play have already come back to haunt “el Tri” on the big stage. Although Mexico isn’t officially eliminated just yet, it will need to score multiple goals against Saudi Arabia if it wants to have a chance at qualifying into the knockout round.

Next – Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022 (Matchday 3 of 3)

Group C: Mexico (No. 13) vs. Saudi Arabia (No. 51)

When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail, Qatar)

Group C: Argentina (No. 3) vs. Poland (No. 26)

When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Stadium 974, (Doha, Qatar)


Sunday’s Schedule (Nov. 27, 2022): Matchday 2 of 3

  • Group E: Japan (No. 24) vs. Costa Rica (No. 31)
  • When, where: 4 a.m. CT, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
  • Group F: Belgium (No. 2) vs. Morocco (No. 22)
  • When, where: 7 a.m. CT, Al Thumama Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
  • Group F: Croatia (No. 12) vs. Canada (No. 41)
  • When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Khalifa International Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
  • Group E: Spain (No. 7) vs. Germany (No. 11)
  • When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor, Qatar)

Monday’s Schedule (Nov. 28, 2022): Matchday 2 of 3

  • Group G: Serbia (No. 21) vs. Cameroon (No. 43)
  • When, where: 4 a.m. CT, Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah, Qatar)
  • Group H: South Korea (No. 28) vs. Ghana (No. 61)
  • When, where: 7 a.m. CT, Education City Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
  • Group G: Brazil (No. 1) vs. Switzerland (No. 15)
  • When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Stadium 974 (Doha, Qatar)
  • Group H: Portugal (No. 9) vs. Uruguay (No. 14)
  • When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail, Qatar)

Tuesday’s Schedule (Nov. 29, 2022): Matchday 3 of 3

  • Group A: Senegal (No. 18) vs. Ecuador (No. 44)
  • When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Khalifa International Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
  • Group A: Netherlands (No. 8) vs. Qatar (No. 50)
  • When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor, Qatar)
  • Group B: England (No. 5) vs. Wales (No. 19)
  • When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Ahmad al Bin Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
  • Group B: USA (No. 16) vs. Iran (No. 20)
  • When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Al Thumama Stadium (Doha, Qatar)

Wednesday’s Schedule (Nov. 30, 2022): Matchday 3 of 3

  • Group D: France (No. 4) vs. Tunisia (No. 30)
  • When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Education City Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
  • Group D: Denmark (No. 10) vs. Australia (No. 38)
  • When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah, Qatar)
  • Group C: Mexico (No. 13) vs. Saudi Arabia (No. 51)
  • When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail, Qatar)
  • Group C: Argentina (No. 3) vs. Poland (No. 26)
  • When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Stadium 974, (Doha, Qatar)

Thursday’s Schedule (Dec. 1, 2022): Matchday 3 of 3

  • Group F: Morocco (No. 22) vs. Canada (No. 41)
  • When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Al Thumama Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
  • Group F: Belgium (No. 2) vs. Croatia (No. 12)
  • When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
  • Group E: Germany (No. 11) vs. Costa Rica (No. 31)
  • When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor, Qatar)
  • Group E: Spain (No. 7) vs. Japan (No. 24)
  • When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Khalifa International Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)

Friday’s Schedule (Dec. 2, 2022): Matchday 3 of 3

  • Group H: Portugal (No. 9) vs. South Korea (No. 28)
  • When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Education City Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
  • Group H: Uruguay (No. 14) vs. Ghana (No. 61)
  • When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah, Qatar)
  • Group G: Brazil (No. 1) vs. Cameroon (No. 43)
  • When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail, Qatar)
  • Group G: Switzerland (No. 15) vs. Serbia (No. 21)
  • When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Stadium 974 (Doha, Qatar)

Rd of 16: Saturday, Dec. 3

  • Who: 1A vs. 2B
  • When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Khalifa International Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
  • Who: 1C vs. 2D
  • When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)

Rd of 16: Sunday, Dec. 4

  • Who: 1D vs. 2C
  • When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Al Thumama Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
  • Who: 1B vs. 2A
  • When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor, Qatar)

Rd of 16: Monday, Dec. 5

  • Who: 1E vs. 2F
  • When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah, Qatar)
  • Who: 1G vs. 2H
  • When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Stadium 974 (Doha, Qatar)

Rd of 16: Tuesday, Dec. 6

  • Who: 1F vs. 2E
  • When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Education City Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
  • Who: 1H vs. 2G
  • When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail, Qatar)

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