World Cup Group C: What do Argentina, Poland, Saudi Arabia and Mexico need to qualify?

Group C saw the first big sensation of the 2022 World Cup when Saudi Arabia surprised with a historic 2-1 win over Argentina.

Poland also proved to be a solid side, unbeaten in their first two games and keeping a clean sheet, while Mexico also have hopes of reaching the last 16.

Here is the state of affairs before the last matchday.

Argentina

Argentina at the World Cup so far

Argentina went into the tournament as one of the favorites and were shocked by Saudi Arabia in the very first game.

Lionel Messi converted a penalty in the tenth minute but Saleh Al-Shehri equalized just after half-time and Salem Al-Dawsari’s goal put his side 2-1 up.

Argentina tried hard but failed to equalize and went into the game against Mexico knowing that a defeat would mean elimination from the World Cup.

But this time there was no stage fright as Messi scored his second goal of the tournament before Enzo Fernandez’s superb strike secured a 2-0 win.

What does Argentina need to progress?

Argentina will definitely reach the knockout stages if they beat Poland – they win Group C if Saudi Arabia doesn’t win at the same time. If both Argentina and Saudi Arabia win, goal difference will decide first place, followed by number of goals scored. If both are equal there, Saudi Arabia wins the group due to the direct comparison won.

A draw would mean that Argentina would need the Saudi Arabia-Mexico game to end in a draw as well. If Argentina draws and Saudi Arabia wins, the winner of the Copa America is out.

A Mexico win against Saudi Arabia and a draw for Argentina would make things really exciting. Poland would win the group by five points, while Argentina and Mexico would have four points each. If Mexico wins by a goal or two, Argentina would take second place ahead of Mexico on goal difference.

In the event of a Mexican win by three goals, goal difference decides who wins the group; if Argentina and Mexico are tied, Argentina will be second on goal difference. In a four-goal win, Mexico will finish second on goal difference, knocking Argentina out.

Argentina are eliminated if they lose.

Poland

Poland at the World Cup so far

Poland have been a strong team at the World Cup so far, keeping two clean sheets and taking four points.

In the first game, Robert Lewandowski and company were held to a goalless draw against Mexico, but they were more successful in the second game against Saudi Arabia.

Lewandowski scored his first World Cup goal in the 82nd minute, extending his team’s lead after Piotr Zielinski had put the ball in to make it 1-0.

What does Poland need to progress?

Poland sit at the top of Group C on four points and are assured of progress if they don’t lose to Argentina. A win, or a draw if Saudi Arabia doesn’t win, would secure Poland top spot in the group.

However, if Mexico lose and win at the same time, the equation will not work. Argentina tops their group on six points, with Poland and Mexico trailing by four points each. Second place will then be decided on goal difference and goals scored, with Mexico coming from a four-goal deficit.

In the event of a tie, fair play will decide before drawing lots – hopefully it doesn’t come to that.

If Poland loses and Saudi Arabia draws Mexico, Argentina will win the group by six points ahead of Poland and Saudi Arabia, who will have four points each. If Poland loses by a goal or two, Poland will be second in the group on goal difference, Saudi Arabia will be third.

In a three-goal loss, the group will be decided by goals scored before going head-to-head. In a loss by four or more goals, Saudi Arabia will be second on goal difference, with Poland third.

If Poland lost and Saudi Arabia won, Lewandowski and his team were eliminated.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia at the World Cup so far

Saudi Arabia delivered one of the biggest World Cup shocks of all time when they beat Argentina in the opening days of the tournament.

Messi’s penalty meant little as Al-Shehri and Al-Dawsari turned the game around for Herve Renard’s side. The half-time speech by the French national coach then went online. Against Poland, however, the team was brought back to earth.

Zielinski gave Poland the lead before Lewandowski scored the second, leaving the Green Hawks with work to do against Mexico.

What does Saudi Arabia need to progress?

The good news is that a win will secure Saudi Arabia a place in the last 16. They would be group winners if Poland drew against Argentina at the same time. If both Saudi Arabia and Argentina win, goal difference and then number of goals scored will decide first place. If both are equal, Saudi Arabia wins the group on goal difference.

If Saudi Arabia draws against Mexico, Argentina will have to lose to Poland to progress. If Poland were to draw and lose, Poland would need to lose by at least three goals for Saudi Arabia to qualify.

Saudi Arabia is eliminated if both games end in a draw or if they lose to Mexico.

Mexico

Mexico at the World Cup so far

Mexico have not yet managed to play fluidly in attack at this World Cup. A goalless draw against Poland was a good start, but Argentina beat them 2-0 in the second game, leaving Gerardo Martino’s side need a win to progress.

What does Mexico need to progress?

Bottom of Group C, Mexico only has a chance of progressing if they beat Saudi Arabia. A win by four goals would guarantee qualification. If Mexico and Poland both win, Mexico will be second.

If Mexico win and Poland lose, Mexico would have to close a four-goal difference. Should Poland draw against Argentina, Mexico should win by at least three goals.

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This article was originally published on 90min.de as.