Argentina has defeated Poland 2-0 at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar to advance to the Round of 16.
Second-half goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez saw the South Americans through as winners of Group C and they will now take on Australia in the first knockout phase.
Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny had earlier denied Lionel Messi from the penalty spot, thwarting the Argentine national treasure with a strong right hand.
But La Albiceleste and their superstar talisman would eventually overcome the Polish side to advance strongly after some wobbles earlier in the tournament.
In similar fashion to Australia, they lost their opening group stage match in the form of a shock loss to Saudi Arabia but have been able to redirect the ship.
They will now meet Australia in Al Rayyan on Sunday morning at 6am AEDT following the Socceroos’ upset win over Denmark.
The other Group C fixture was filled with drama as Mexico defeated Saudi Arabia 2-1 to finish in third position, cruelly denied a spot in the Round of 16.
Mexico had drawn level with Poland on both goal difference and goals scored when they were 2-0 up and required one late goal to advance, but Salem Aldawsari netted for the Saudis in the 95th minute.
The Mexican side, even after Luis Chavez’s 52nd-minute stunner, missed out by the barest of margins, unable to advance due to an inferior goal difference.
It leaves Poland free to move through to the Round of 16 where they will meet France in Doha on Monday at 2am.