Poland v Argentina, 30 November 2022

Kick-off: 10.00pm local (7.00pm GMT) . FIFA world ranking: Poland 26, Argentina 3 . Prior to kick-off in the final Group C games, it was possible that any two of the four teams could qualify for the knockout stages. . Poland reached the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time since 1986. Mexico finished in third place behind Poland on a goal difference of one. Prior to Salem Al Dawsari’s added time goal for Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland were level on points, goal difference and goals scored. Poland would still have progressed but only due to being shown fewer yellow cards (five to seven). . In 2018, Japan became the first nation to progress out of the group stages of the World Cup on the fair play rule. After finishing with identical records in their three group games, Japan were shown a total of three yellow cards compared to Senegal's five. . As group winners, Argentina progressed to the knockout stages of the World Cup finals for a 13th time in their last 14 participation, failing most recently in 2002. . Poland failed in their attempt to remain unbeaten in their first three group games at a World Cup finals for the first time since 1982. . Poland had now lost their last four games in the World Cup finals against South American opposition without scoring. . Poland failed in their attempt to keep a clean sheet in four consecutive games at the World Cup finals for the first time. . Wojciech Szczęsny became the first goalkeeper to save two penalties at a World Cup tournament for Poland since Jan Tomaszewski in 1974. . Argentina avoided losing three consecutive games at the World Cup finals against European opposition for the first time having lost the last two against Croatia and France in 2018. . Lionel Messi had now played in 22 games at the World Cup finals; a new record for Argentina. Lothar Matthaus (25), Miroslav Klose (24) and Paolo Maldini (23) had now only played in more. . Lionel Messi failed in his attempt to score in seven consecutive appearances for Argentina for the first time (scored 12 goals in the previous six games). . Aged 21 years and 317 days, Enzo Fernández became the youngest player to start a game at the World Cup finals for Argentina since Lionel Messi against Netherlands in 2006 (18 years and 362 days). . This was the third meeting at World Cup finals; Poland won 3-2 in Germany in 1974, while Argentina won 2-0 on home soil in 1978. .