Messi and Argentina have last chance to qualify for knockout
Groups A and B came together in exciting fashion at Tuesday’s World Cup. Senegal beat Ecuador to join the Netherlands as the top two teams in Group A. Meanwhile, the United States men’s national team held on to a 1-0 victory over Iran to return to round of 16, joining England.
On Wednesday, Mexico battle to contest an eighth consecutive knockout stage, but the odds are stacked against them. Argentina and Lionel Messi are also back in action and will need to score against Poland’s well-organised defence.
France are the only team playing Wednesday to have secured a place in the round of 16. Coach Didier Deschamps will save Golden Boot leader Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud, placing both players on the bench.
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Deschamps tries to balance rest with form. His team is already through to the round of 16. But since scoring a goal in Tunisia, the French boss has brought in William Saliba, Adrien Rabiot, Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe.
Elsewhere in Group D, Australia do not bow out. Australia kicked off the counterattack in their own half, with a long pass from Riley McGree to Mathew Leckie. Going up against two Danish defenders, Leckie found the back of the net.
The French defense crumbled on Wahbi Khazri as the striker headed for goal. He found the opening score and was quickly replaced by Issam Jebali. The celebration that followed showed exactly what that means.
One of nine changes made by coach Didier Deschamps ahead of the Tunisia game, Kingsley Coman has a passing accuracy of 93.8% with 16 assists and 31 touches against Tunisia.
As things stand, France will win Group D. But Tunisia knocked on the door, including a 34th-minute Wahbi Khazri chance saved by substitute goalkeeper Steve Mandanda.
Even at 2 a.m. in Australia, fans are up early to see if their side can qualify for their second round of 16 appearance.
Tunisia, under pressure from the start, found themselves offside on a free kick against France. It was Nader Ghandri who almost gave his nation the advantage.
Elsewhere in Group D, Denmark continue to rotate their striker. While Christian Eriksen remains consistent in midfield, Martin Braithwaite takes his place to lead Denmark’s attack as the third striker in three games. The Danish team faces an unavoidable situation.
Lots of changes for France, who ended the reigning champion streak that didn’t come out of the group with their win over Denmark on Saturday.
Of course, that would be Christian Pulisic.
He is the prodigy of this young generation of ultra-talented American men, “Captain America”, doing things that no American has done before, both for club and country. If the USMNT is going to make a run at this World Cup and get people to rethink their view of American football, it’s going to require something special from Pulisic.
“I don’t see it as a burden at all. I’m very excited at the moment,” he said before the tournament started. “I will do my best to represent this country, and I hope to make everyone at home proud.”
Oh, I would say it has it all.
A violent collision with the Iranian keeper sent Pulisic to hospital with an abdominal injury on Tuesday night, but not before his 38th-minute goal gave the USMNT what they needed to beat Iran 1-0 and qualify for the round of 16.
Returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2014, the USMNT will be one of the last 16 teams in contention.
—Nancy Armor
Is Mexico missing from the World Cup? Not yet. But El Tri must win (and get some help) in order to play a consecutive round of 16. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia will be looking to prove their opener was no fluke.
Time: Wednesday, November 30 at 2 p.m. ET
Stadium: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
How to watch: FS1 and Telemundo or stream on fuboTV and Peacock (Spanish)
Argentina averted disaster against Mexico and held on to their World Cup dreams, as well as those of Lionel Messi, while prolific Polish striker Robert Lewandowski finally scored his World Cup goal. The best way for both teams to advance is to win in a wide open Group C.
Messi has scored twice in two World Cup games this tournament and will likely need to do so again to qualify for the knockout stages against Poland who have kept a clean sheet for two games this competition.
Time: Wednesday, November 30 at 2 p.m. ET
Stadium: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
How to watch: FS1 and Telemundo or stream on fuboTV and Peacock (Spanish)
Australia’s victory over Tunisia puts them in a favorable position to qualify for their second appearance in the group stage. The last time these two teams met in the World Cup, they drew 1-1. Christian Eriksen scored the first goal of this game.
Denmark will have to overcome their longest World Cup winless streak, currently at five games.
Time: Wednesday, November 30 at 10 a.m. ET
Stadium: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
How to watch: FS1 and Telemundo or stream on fuboTV and Peacock (Spanish)
Reigning champions France are the only team to have already qualified from Group D. Does that mean stars like Kylian Mbappe will be saved for the next round? After all, France have already lost a handful of starters this year.
In the first competitive match between the two teams, Tunisia are looking to take advantage of a French side who already have their sights set on the next round.
Time: Wednesday, November 30 at 10 a.m. ET
Stadium: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
How to watch: FS1 and Telemundo or stream on fuboTV and Peacock (Spanish)
USA Today
