AGENCIES

December 1: Argentina turned the tide in their favour after the shock opening World Cup loss to Saudi Arabia by qualifying for the last 16 on Wednesday with an impressive 2-0 win over Poland - who went through on goal difference having finished level on points with Mexico.

According to the BBC, Poland were set to progress by virtue of the Fifa Fair Play rule for having fewer yellow cards than Mexico - until Saudi Arabia pulled one back deep into stoppage time in their 2-1 loss to the Concacaf side. That meant goal difference was decisive for the Poles, who will next face France.

Argentina ran out comfortable winners with second-half goals from Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister and Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez, added the BBC.

Argentina dominated throughout but had to wait until after the second half to make the breakthrough as Mac Allister gave Argentina the lead they deserved when he swept home Nahuel Molina's cross a minute after the break and Alvarez sealed victory with a fine finish into the top corner in the 67th minute.

According to Reuters, Argentina dominated possession while Poland barely managed to get out of their own half, with the South American side's goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez a mere spectator for the majority of the game.

The second goal was the result of some patient buildup where Argentina knocked the ball around before Enzo Fernandez unlocked the defence with a through-ball for Alvarez, who found space in the box and smashed it into the top corner, added Reuters.

According to the news agency, Lionel Messi missed a first-half penalty at Stadium 974 on Wednesday but both teams booked their places in the knockout stages of the World Cup.

Argentina's victory propelled Lionel Scaloni's side to the top of Group C and they will next face Australia.