Lionel Messi is on track to win his first World Cup trophy in his final FIFA men's tournament.
After Argentina shockingly fell to Saudi Arabia 2-1 in their Group C opener in what goes down as the biggest World Cup upset in history, they bounced back with consecutive 2-0 wins to claim top spot in Group C.
Poland also managed to squeeze into the knockout stages on goal difference with a single goal keeping Mexico stuck in third spot.
Despite stunning Argentina in their opening game, Saudi Arabia ended up finishing bottom of the group after two straight losses.
Argentina will now face Australia in the Round of 16, while Poland will try to end France's title defence.
WORLD CUP GROUPS:
Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D
Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H
World Cup Group C standings
| Team | PTS | GP | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Argentina-Q | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 |
| 2. Poland-Q | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 3. Mexico-E | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 |
| 4. Saudi Arabia-E | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 5 | -2 |
- Q = Qualified to Round of 16
- E = Eliminated
Group C schedule, results
| Date | Match | |
| Tue, Nov. 22 | Argentina 1, S. Arabia 2 | Highlights |
| Tue, Nov. 22 | Mexico 0, Poland 0 | Highlights |
| Sat, Nov. 26 | Poland 2, S. Arabia 0 | Highlights |
| Sat, Nov. 26 | Argentina 2, Mexico 0 | Highlights |
| Wed, Nov. 30 | Poland 0, Argentina 2 | Highlights |
| Wed, Nov. 30 | S. Arabia 1, Mexico 2 | Highlights |
World Cup Group C teams
Argentina
One of the World Cup’s traditional powerhouses, the 2022 tournament in Qatar could see a return to the old order of Argentina as a major force to be reckoned with, but it will also mark the last hurrah for one of the game’s greatest-ever players.
Lionel Messi is now 35, and Qatar will be the last chance for him to add the World Cup trophy to his already bulging cabinet and cap off a remarkable career, after he confirmed it will be his last appearance at the tournament.
Undoubtedly, he will be the star name for the South Americans — who head to the Middle East as the Copa America champions, following their victory over arch-rivals Brazil last year — but there is plenty of additional talent in Lionel Scaloni’s side too, not least from the likes of Angel Di Maria, who scored the vital goal in that Copa final victory.
- Current FIFA world ranking: No. 3 (November, 2022)
- Regional ranking: 2nd (CONMEBOL)
- World Cup titles: 2
- World Cup appearances (last): 17 (Russia 2018)
- How qualified: CONMEBOL World Cup Qualification runners-up: 11W-0L-6D
- Coach: Lionel Scaloni (Argentina) since August, 2018
- Key players: Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain / France), Angel Di Maria (Juventus / Italy), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid / Spain)
Saudi Arabia
In their last four involvements at the World Cup, Saudi Arabia’s exit has come in the group stages — and it is difficult to envisage that being bettered this time around in Qatar.
Herve Renard’s team deserve credit for finishing above Australia in qualifying, but there is a feeling that they could find matters much more difficult when faced with tougher tasks.
Each member of the Saudi Arabia squad currently plays in their home country, although in Renard they have a coach who has experienced the full breadth of international football, with previous spells in charge of Morocco, Ivory Coast, Zambia (twice) and Angola. At Russia 2018, Saudi Arabia exited having scored just two goals, and Renard will be desperately hoping that striker Saleh Al Shehri can return to full fitness to lead them this time after his four goals in the qualifiers.
- Current FIFA world ranking: No. 51 (November, 2022)
- Regional ranking: 6th (AFC)
- World Cup titles: —
- World Cup appearances (last): 6 (Russia 2018)
- How qualified: AFC Third Round Group B runners-up 7W-1L-2D)
- Coach: Herve Renard (France) since July, 2019
- Key players: Saleh Al Shehri (Al Hilal / Saudi Arabia), Salem Al Dawsari (Al Hilal / Saudi Arabia), Salman Al Faraj (Al Hilal / Saudi Arabia)
Mexico
Mexico extended their streak of appearing at every World Cup finals since 1994 by securing CONCACAF qualification as runners-up to Canada on goal difference in the final round.
El Tri has a roster that relies on individuals who feature in Europe and North America. Of those, Wolves striker Raul Jimenez and Houston Dynamo veteran Hector Herrera will both be heavily called upon to propel the World Cup bid. The loss of Jesus 'Tecatito' Corona to injury is, though, a significant blow.
Mexico don’t score or concede many goals — averaging just over one goal a game scored in their qualification bid — and they will hope that compact gameplan, devised by wily former Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino, can prove sufficient to stifle group opponents.
- Current FIFA world ranking: No. 13 (November, 2022)
- Regional ranking: 1st (CONCACAF)
- World Cup titles: —
- World Cup appearances (last): 16 (Brazil 2018)
- How qualified: (CONCACAF qualifying runners-up: 7W-2L-4D
- Coach: Gerardo Martino (Argentina) since January, 2019
- Key players: Raul Jimenez (Wolves / England), Hector Herrera (Houston Dynamo / USA), Hirving Lozano (Napoli / Italy)
Poland
Poland’s Robert Lewandowski won the battle of the talismans against Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic to book the Eastern Europeans a spot in the finals via the playoff route, following a 2-0 win. Poland had previously been given a bye straight through to the final match after first-round opponents Russia were banned by FIFA as a result of their country’s invasion of Ukraine.
Their 34-year-old Barcelona striker aside, Poland’s roster consists of plenty of experienced performers who play domestically across Europe. Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski should supply valuable chances for Lewandoski to add to his superb international goal tally.
Czeslaw Michniewicz’s side claim an illustrious history at the World Cup — having twice finished third — and they will be confident of getting out of the group phase, after losing just twice through the entire qualification process.
- Current FIFA world ranking: No. 26 (November, 2022)
- Regional ranking: 15th (UEFA)
- World Cup titles: —
- World Cup appearances (last): 8 (Russia 2018)
- How qualified: UEFA playoff winners: (2-0 vs. Sweden)
- Coach: Czeslaw Michniewicz (Poland) since January, 2022
- Star players: Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona / Spain), Piotr Zielinski (Napoli / Italy), Matty Cash (Aston Villa / England)
World Cup Group C odds and predictions
Here are the odds for each team to win and qualify from the group, with odds provided by Sports Interaction (correct as of Nov, 2022).
Minus odds is what must be wagered to win $100 on that specific bet, while plus odds represent the winnings from a successful $100 wager.
The first-place and second-place finishers in Group C will move on to the Round of 16 and will face off against the two teams to advance from Group D on Saturday, Dec. 3 and Sunday, Dec. 4.
| Team | Group Winner | To Qualify |
| Argentina | -256 | -1429 |
| Poland | +464 | -109 |
| Mexico | +473 | -109 |
| S. Arabia | +2100 | +512 |
MORE WORLD CUP 2022:
Full Qatar 2022 schedule | Latest news
The official FIFA 2022 World Cup match schedule outlines the following knockout pairings for the Round of 16 through to the final:
World Cup Round of 16
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Sat, Dec. 3 | Netherlands vs. USA | 10 a.m. | Khalifa Int'l |
| Sat, Dec. 3 | Argentina vs. Australia | 2 p.m. | Ahmad Bin Ali |
| Sun, Dec. 4 | France vs. Poland | 10 a.m. | Al Thumama |
| Sun, Dec. 4 | England vs. Senegal | 2 p.m. | Al Bayt |
| Mon, Dec. 5 | 1E vs. 2F | 10 a.m. | Al Janoub |
| Mon, Dec. 5 | 1G vs. 2H | 2 p.m. | Stadium 974 |
| Tues, Dec. 6 | 1F vs. 2E | 10 a.m. | Education City |
| Tues, Dec. 6 | 1H vs. 2G | 2 p.m. | Lusail |
World Cup Quarterfinals
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Fri, Dec. 9 | QF1: 1E/2F vs. 1G/2H | 10 a.m. | Education City |
| Fri, Dec. 9 | QF2: 1A/2B vs. 1C/2D | 2 p.m. | Lusail |
| Sat, Dec. 10 | QF3: 1F/2E vs. 1H/2G | 10 a.m. | Al Thumama |
| Sat, Dec. 10 | QF4: 1B/2A vs. 1D/2C | 2 p.m. | Al Bayt |
World Cup Semifinals
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Tues, Dec. 13 | QF2 vs. QF1 | 2 p.m. | Lusail |
| Wed, Dec. 14 | QF4 vs. QF3 | 2 p.m. | Al Bayt |
World Cup 3rd Place
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Sat, Dec. 17 | Semifinal losers | 10 a.m. | Khalifa Int'l |
World Cup Final
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Sun, Dec. 18 | Semifinal winners | 10 a.m. | Lusail |