Doha/Lusail, Qatar (dpa)

Lionel Messi failed to convert a penalty in a landmark game for him but it didn’t matter as Argentina went on to beat Poland 2-0 and advance into the last 16 of the World Cup along with them from Group C amid plenty of drama today (November 30).

Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny saved a spot kick for the second time after similar heroics in the previous game against Saudi Arabia when he saved in the 39th minute from Messi who had moved one ahead of Diego Maradona with a 22nd World Cup match for Argentina.

It was the biggest of several big saves from Szczesny in the first half before Alexis Mac Allister finally beat him less than a minute into the second half, and Julian Alvarez smashed the second in the 67th to see Argentina through.

The victory put Argentina top of Group C as they rebounded from an opening shock defeat against Saudi Arabia and now face Australia in the last 16 on Saturday, avoiding a meeting with France who beat them at that stage in 2018 en route to the title.

Instead, it will be Poland to face France on Sunday as they edged Mexico by one goal with both tied on four points as Mexico’s 2-1 against Saudi Arabia was not enough.

Henry Martin in the 47th and Luis Chavez with a sensational free-kick five minutes later had Mexico within one goal of leapfrogging Poland but Salem Al-Dawsari’s injury time goal broke Mexican hearts.