Lionel Messi spoke about Argentina’s 2-0 win vs. Poland and the Round of 16 game vs. Australia.

Messi missed a penalty in the 2-0 win vs. Poland but was involved in creating chances for Argentina. Speaking to the media after the win, here is what he had to say:

“Angry for having missed the penalty but the team came out stronger after my mistake. We knew that once the first goal went in, it would change the game.

“The previous game gave us a lot of peace of mine and we went out onto the pitch thinking we had to win.

“The match against Australia is going to be very difficult. Anyone can beat anyone, it’s all even. We have to prepare for the game as we always do.

“We should be calm and take it match by match. Now, another World Cup stars and hopefully we could continue to maintain what we did today.”

Alexis Mac Allister and Julián Álvarez scored for Argentina in their 2-0 win vs. Poland.

It was Argentina’s best game at the World Cup and they were rewarded with a place in the Round of 16 at the World Cup. Argentina controlled the entire first half and were awarded a controversial penalty kick.

Poland’s goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny had his hand in Messi’s face after Messi had already headed the ball out of play. The referee went to VAR and a penalty was given.

A penalty for Argentina and Messi had his effort saved. The first half ended 0-0 with Argentina creating a few chances.

Mac Allister gave Argentina the 1-0 lead very early in the second half. A low pass into the penalty area by Nahuel Molina and it fell to Mac Allister and his effort would make it 1-0 for Argentina.

Enzo Fernández started the match and had an assist on the second goal. A pass in to Julián Álvarez as Álvarez would shoot from outside of the penalty area and score to make it 2-0 and extend Argentina’s lead.

Argentina play Australia in the Round of 16 on Saturday.

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni has his starting eleven vs. Poland at the World Cup with a few changes to the team.

Lionel Scaloni has made a few changes to the team which started vs. Mexico. Nahuel Molina and Cristian Romero start in place of Gonzalo Montiel and Lisandro Martínez.

Enzo Fernández also starts in place of Leandro paredes and up front, Julián Álvarez is in place of Lautaro Martinez. Here is the elven:

Dibu Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuña; De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez and Di María

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni has not yet decided on who will start between Leandro Paredes and Enzo Fernández.

Lionel Scaloni is set to make some changes to the team vs. Poland on Wednesday. According to several reports out of Argentina, Scaloni hasn’t decided on who will start in midfield with Rodrigo De Paul and Alexis Mac Allister. According to reports, this is the expected eleven:

Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Nicolás Otamendi, Cristian Romero, Marcos Acuña; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández or Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister; Ángel Di María, Lautaro Martínez and Lionel Messi

A win for Argentina could get them in first or second in the group, a draw could get them in second place and a loss would eliminate Argentina from the World Cup.

Argentina play Poland and Saudi Arabia play Mexico, with both games being played at the same time. Poland have four points and lead the group as Argentina are in second with three points and a plus one goal difference.

Third place in the group is Saudi Arabia who also have three points but a minus one goal difference and Mexico are last in the group with a minus two goal difference. Here are the standings:

Poland: 4 points, +2 goal difference
Argentina: 3 points, +1 goal difference
Saudi Arabia: 3 points, -1 goal difference
Mexico: 1 point, -2 goal difference

If Argentina win against Poland and Saudi Arabia win vs. Mexico, Argentina and Saudi Arabia would make it to the next round with goal difference deciding their standings. These would be the standings:

Argentina: 6 points
Saudi Arabia: 6 points
Poland: 4 points
Mexico: 1 point

If Argentina win vs. Poland and Mexico win vs. Saudi Arabia, Argentina and one of Poland or Mexico would make it to the next round with Argentina leading the group. Poland and Mexico would be decided on goal difference. These would be the standings:

Argentina: 6 points
Poland: 4 points
Mexico: 4 points
Saudi Arabia: 3 points

If Argentina and Poland draw with Saudi Arabia getting the win vs. Mexico, it would be Saudi Arabia and Poland into the next round of the World Cup. These would be the standings:

Saudi Arabia: 6 points
Poland: 5 points
Argentina: 4 points
Mexico: 1 point

If Argentina and Poland draw with Mexico getting the win vs. Saudi Arabia, Poland would lead the group with Argentina and Mexico tied on points and the better goal difference would qualify for the next round. These would be the standings:

Poland: 5 points
Argentina: 4 points
Mexico: 4 points
Saudi Arabia: 3 points

If Argentina and Poland draw with Saudi Arabia and Mexico drawing, Poland and Argentina would make it to the next round with Poland in first and Argentina in second in the group. These would be the standings:

Poland: 5 points
Argentina: 4 points
Saudi Arabia: 4 points
Mexico: 2 points

If Poland get the win vs. Argentina and Saudi Arabia get the win vs. Mexico, Poland and Saudi Arabia would make it to the next round of the World Cup. Here would be the standings:

Poland: 7 points
Saudi Arabia: 6 points
Argentina: 3 points
Mexico: 1 point

If Poland get the win vs. Argentina and Mexico get the win vs. Saudi Arabia, Poland and Mexico would make it to the next round at the World Cup. Here would be the standings:

Poland: 7 points
Mexico: 4 points
Argentina: 3 points
Saudi Arabia: 3 points

If Poland get the win vs. Argentina and Saudi Arabia vs. Mexico ends in a draw, Poland and Saudi Arabia would make it to the next round at the World Cup. These would be the standings:

Poland: 7 points
Saudi Arabia: 4 points
Argentina: 3 points
Mexico: 2 points