2022 FIFA World Cup: Poland vs Argentina — Preview, Team News, Kickoff Time, Probable XI, TV Channels to watch and more

Poland and Argentina will face each other in their final Group C game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup at the Stadium 974 in Ras Abu Aboud.

The Albiceleste who are known as heavyweights of international football and boast of some of the game’s biggest superstars like Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria and the likes – are bent on navigating their way out of the group, While Czesław Michniewicz's star-studded squad are yet to dazzle by facing a truly challenging test.


The 1978 and 1986 world champions will have to step things up if they want to remain in the tournament. On the other hand, this will be the first true test for Poland, although sitting top of Group C – have yet to hit their stride at this World Cup.


Will Lionel Scaloni unleash some of his biggest stars in the last group match against Poland to work to Argentina's advantage? This is the third World Cup meeting between Poland and Argentina – Poland won 3-2 in 1974, while Argentina won 2-0 en route to winning the trophy for the first time in 1978.


Argentina lost their last two World Cup games against European nations - Croatia (3-0) and France (4-3) in 2018. In June, 2011, Poland and Argentina met in a friendly game, with the European side posting a 2-1 victory against the South Americans. Poland have kept a clean sheet in their last three World Cup matches, including both in 2022.  


The White-Reds seem to have the measure of South American teams, having won four of their first seven World Cup games against South American sides (L3) but lost each of their last three in the competition without scoring a single goal.


Poland will advance with at least a draw, while Argentina may also advance with a draw depending on the result of the other group game which is between Saudi Arabia and Mexico, which comes-off at the iconic Lusail Stadium, also at 7;00pm.


TEAM NEWS

Poland boss Michniewicz is expected to name an unchanged starting lineup against the Albiceleste, with Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny – who saved a first-half penalty in the win over Saudi Arabia – is set to be protected by a back four of Matty Cash, Jakub Kiwior, Kamil Glik and Bartosz Bereszynski, who all started Poland's first two Group C fixtures.


Arkadiusz Milik will continue his partnership in attack with Lewandowski. Grzegorz Krychowiak, who is just four appearances away from receiving his 100th international cap, could be joined in central-midfield by seven-cap Birmingham City man Krystian Bielik, while Zielinski and Przemyslaw Frankowski are set to operate on the flanks


As for Argentina, Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez could retain his place at centre-back alongside Nicolas Otamendi, but the full-back spots might be a surprise package, with Nahuel Molina, Juan Foyth and Gonzalo Montiel all battling for a place at right-back, while one of Marcos Acuna or Nicolas Tagliafico is set to get the nod at left-back.


Leandro Paredes will also be pushing to start after being dropped to the bench against Mexico, while Fernandez, 21, – who has made an impression as a second-half substitute in both of Argentina's first two group games, might be handed his first start of the tournament in central-midfield.


Lautaro Martinez and Angel Di Maria are the two most likely candidates to continue in attack with Messi, but Julian Alvarez and Paulo Dybala will both be hoping to force their way into the first XI.


Angel Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez are the two most likely stars to continue in attack with Messi, but Paulo Dybala and Julian Alvarez will both be hoping to force their way into the starting XI.


PROBABLE XI

Poland: Szczęsny; Cash, Glik, Kiwior, Bereszyński; Zieliński, Bielik, Krychowiak, Frankowski; Milik, Lewandowski

Argentina: E. Martinez; Molina, Otamendi, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico; Fernandez, Paredes, De Paul; Messi, La. Martinez, Di Maria


MATCH OFFICIALS

Center Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)

Assistant 1: Hessel Steegstra (Netherlands)

Assistant 2: Jan de Vries (Netherlands)

Fourth Official: Said Martinez (Honduras)

Video Assistant Referee: Paulus van Boekel (Netherlands)

Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert (German)

Offside Video Assistant Referee: Kathryn Nesbitt (USA)

Support Video Assistant Referee: Juan Soto (Venezuela)


CHANNEL: StarTimes, SuperSport,


KICKOFF: 19:00 GMT (7:00pm)


By: Pascal Nii Gogo Amoah