Best and worst of Group C

Argentina were shocked by Saudi Arabia, while Poland and Mexico played below-par football

Saudi Arabia

The 51-ranked Saudi Arabia were placed alongside Argentina, Poland and Mexico. Before the World Cup in Qatar, they had appeared in tournament five times and managed their best run in 1994 when they reached the Round of 16.

The squad was heavily influenced by Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal, yet they were once again rated as favourites to finish at the bottom of the table.

To The Falcons’ credit, they had a strong defence in place; however, their goal scoring ability was a huge question.

Contrary to the predictions, Saudi Arabia played impressive football during the campaign and caused one of the biggest upsets in the history of World Cup.

Hervé Renard’s men had a wonderful outing in their opening game against the favourites of the World Cup, Argentina.

La Albiceleste were unbeaten for 35 games before they faced The Falcons, making the outcome of the match almost certain.

However, Saudi Arabia shocked the world.

Argentina won a penalty in the 10^th minute of the game, which Messi converted it into a goal. Saudi Arabia made an impressive comeback when Saleh Alshehri scored the equaliser in the 48^th minute. Just after five minutes, Salem Aldawsari scored a beautiful goal to give his team the edge.

Messi and company tried to score another goal throughout the remaining time, but Saudi’s solid defence did not let them loose. As a result, Argentina suffered an unexpected defeat after a long streak of 35 games.

After 28 years, Saudi Arabia had a chance to advance to the Round of 16.

They played inspiring football in their remaining games against Poland and Mexico but could not replicate their success from the Argentina contest.

In their next game, they dominated Poland, having 64 percent possession and having five shots on target compared to the opponent’s three. Still, they lost the game 2-0.

In their final encounter of the campaign, they faced Mexico and could not produce a performance as good as their previous two games.

The Mexican side scored a goal in the 47^th minute and then doubled it just five minutes later.

The Saudi attack tried to make a comeback but only managed to send the ball into the net in the 90+5 minute, which proved to be too late.

Overall, Saudi Arabia produced a performance far superior than what was expected from them.

Mexico

Grade: C

Mexico have been a consistent participant in biggest sports event in the world, appearing in 17 World Cup finals.

This year, they qualified for the tournament after a silent campaign in CONCACAF, finishing second in the eight-team Hexagonal and were level on points with leaders Canada, who went ahead of them only through goal differential.

Mexico registered various low-scoring wins and draws. Traditionally, El Tri are seen as giants in the region, however, they were bettered this year by the United States of America and Canada, winning none, losing two and drawing two against the two sides.

As they entered the tournament, it was expected, given their experience, they will be the second team in the group after Messi’s Argentina. However, the prediction did not age well.

Mexico initiated their campaign with a game against Poland, which ended in a goalless draw.

In the next game, they had to face a determined Argentina, who had been dissed by Saudi Arabia in their first contest of the World Cup.

Mexico tried keep Argentina at bay and managed to do so in the first half. However, in the second phase of the game, Messi opened the gates with a goal and lead was doubled by Enzo Fernandez in the 87^th minute.

In their final contest of the campaign, the Mexican side had to defeat Saudi Arabia by a margin of around three goals if Argentina beat Poland the same time.

The eventual champions surpassed Poland by 2-0, while Mexico only managed to win their encounter by 2-1, resulting in their elimination.

Mexico did not play at their best during the event and their exit from the group stage did not surprise many.

 Poland

Grade: B-

Poland had qualified for the World Cup with an impressive performance in the qualifying round, standing just second to England in Group I, but qualified for the playoff bracket. In the playoff semi-finals, Poland got the advantage as FIFA disqualified Russia, following their war with Ukraine. They put up a great show against Sweden in the final, winning it 2-0.

Despite their impressive performance, their overdependence on their captain and striker, Robert Lewandowski was a reason of concern.

Their opening contest of the tournament was against Mexico and it was expected that it will be a game that will decide the runner up of the group.

However, the game ended in a goalless draw.

In the next game, they had the Saudi Arabia challenge who had just defeated Argentina. The Falcons dominated the game by Lewandowski’s team managed to score two in the contest get their first win.

They faced a convincing defeat against Argentina in their last group match, however, due to other matches’ favourable results, they qualified for the knockout stage.

The Polish side could not get much to celebrate in the Round of 16 as they faced the eventual runner-ups France in the match.

France’s experienced and in-form players Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe performed on the occasion and scored two goals, in 44 and 90+1 minutes. Though the Barcelona striker scored a goal for Poland in the 90+9 minutes, but it was too little too late.

In a nutshell, Poland did not put up an admirable show in the tournament, winning just one game out of the four they played, and that too against Saudi Arabia.

Argentina

Grade: A+

The South American side were rated as one of the favourites to lift the trophy, following their long unbeaten streak and Messi’s mission to announce himself as the GOAT.

However, the prolific striker received a big blow in the first game of their campaign, where they lost against Saudi Arabia.

It looked like Messi’s trophy cabinet will always remain incomplete with the most precious prize missing.

Having said that, as the tournament progress, it became clearer that the stars were aligned to ensure that the little magician ends his career as the best ever.

After the shocking loss, they made an extraordinary comeback, marching on to win the trophy.

After Saudi Arabia, they faced Mexico and Messi inspired his team to a win, scoring one goal while Enzo Fernandez increasing the lead. La Albiceleste registered the win 2-0.

Next up, they had Poland in line. Argentina replicated their performance from the last outing and registered another convincing victory 2-0 to enter the Round of 16 with some confidence, which was shaken earlier by the upset.

They locked horns with Australia in the knockout round, but the Socceroos did not prove to be much of a challenge for the two-time champions.

Lionel Scaloni’s team were up against the Netherlands in the quart finals and it turned out to be a difficult outing for them.

Nahuel Molina scored a goal for Argentina in 35^th minute, while Messi scored on a penalty in the 73^rd minute. It looked like the goal had sealed the game.

The Dutchmen had other plans and they scored two goals, in 83 and 90+11 minutes, to push the game to the extra time.

Both teams were unable to net the ball in the next 30 minutes and the fate was to be decided on penalty shootout.

Argentina held their nerves and won the game on penalties to confirm their meeting with Croatia in the semi-final.

Messi and his fellows put up their best show against the Luka Mordic’s team, beating them all ends up 3-0.

It was just France between Messi and the title of GOAT. It was a rollercoaster ride where Argentina dominated the defending champions and then the French side dominating the eventual champions.

After a scoreline of 3-3 in the extra time, the champions were to be decided on penalty shootout, where Argentina emerged victorious.

Overall, it was an extraordinary run from Argentina, losing to Saudi Arabia in their first game to winning the trophy. There is little doubt that they were the best team in the tournament.