AL-WAKRAH, Qatar – Two of the most intimidating strikers in world football, Argentina’s 35-year-old Lionel Messi and Poland’s 34-year-old Robert Lewandowski, line up against each other on Wednesday with a last 16 place at stake in the World Cup.
Messi has scored twice in Argentina’s extraordinary start to the campaign, suffering one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history at the hands of Saudi Arabia before masterminding a euphoric victory over Mexico.
The brilliant Argentine, whose team is one of the tournament favourites, is playing his fifth and final campaign, meaning it is his last chance to match Diego Maradona and lift the trophy for his longing homeland.
“We had to give everyone peace of mind to be able to approach the Poland game in a different way,” Messi said after the extraordinary pressure around the Mexico match according to Reuters.
With Argentina second in Group C on three points, one behind the Poles, they must win to be sure of progressing and keeping alive their dream of a third World Cup title.
A draw would be enough for the South Americans too if Mexico and Saudi Arabia also end level.
Luciana Medina was so nervous that she could barely sleep the night before Saturday’s match between Argentina and Mexico which could have all but knocked the soccer-mad South American country from the World Cup.
After the game, she couldn’t stop smiling.
“I’m so proud. I truly loved the match,” Medina, a 23-year-old communications student, said while wearing an Argentina jersey. “I’m so happy.”
Argentines breathed a collective sigh of relief Saturday afternoon as the country obtained a decisive 2-0 victory over Mexico dissipating doubts that had emerged about Lionel Messi’s team after the shock loss against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. That loss had sent the country almost into a state of national mourning.
“The whole week was very sad, everyone was very aggressive as well, as if they were lost, without knowing what to do,” Medina said. “We were all very nervous.”
Maria del Carmen Martinez, 60, said she was “very tense” when she arrived at a plaza in Buenos Aires to watch the match on giant screens.
“I’m happy now,” the retail worker said with a smile. “It’s as if the players finally woke up.”
Manuel Gauto, 21, agreed he saw a different team on the field than the one that fell before Saudi Arabia.
“They rose to the occasion and put their hearts into it,” Gauto said. “They have another attitude now.”
‘EMOTIONAL’ LEWANDOWSKI
Like Messi, Lewandowski is also his nation’s all-time top scorer and is on possibly his last mission at a World Cup. He has been in sizzling form for Messi’s old club Barcelona and has also had an eventful start in Qatar.
Lewandowski uncharacteristically missed a penalty in Poland’s opening draw with Mexico before scoring his first ever World Cup goal in their 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia.
That reduced him to tears.
“The older I get, the more emotional I get, and I’m aware that it might be my last World Cup actually,” said Lewandowski
Poland, who has not reached the knockout stage since 1986, will go through with a win or draw against Argentina.
Lewandowski shed tears after scoring in the 82nd minute. He raced toward the corner with his arms outstretched, then stayed slumped on the field as teammates rushed to congratulate him. He got up, rubbed his face, and blew a kiss to the crowd.
“Today everything I had inside, the dreams, the importance of the occasion, all those dreams from my childhood came through,” Lewandowski said. “It was so significant.”
One of the best forwards in the world, Lewandowski’s barren streak at the World Cup was somewhat puzzling. Now, in his fifth match at the tournament, it’s over.
“I always wanted to score at the World Cup and this dream came true,” said Lewandowski, who had a penalty saved in Poland’s 0-0 draw with Mexico on Tuesday. “It’s not easy, because we didn’t have many opportunities in the first match and I missed that penalty.”
Wednesday Nov. 30 fixtures
Group D: Australia vs Denmark at 5 pm CLT
Group D: Tunisia vs France at 5 pm CLT
Group C: Poland vs Argentina at 9 pm CLT
Group C: Saudi Arabia vs Mexico at 9 pm CLT
Discussion about this post