🌎 Messi restores Argentina hope with huge win; France qualify for last 16 | OneFootball

It was a huge day seven at the 2022 World Cup with Argentina fighting to avoid elimination.

This is what went down.

Messi magic sets Argentina back on track

Scorers: Messi 64′, Fernández 87′

Argentina reignited their hopes of success at this year’s World Cup as two wonder goals saw them past Mexico in Lusail on Saturday night.

The best chance of a disappointing and scoreless first half fell to Alexis Vega, whose curling free-kick for Mexico was well saved by Emiliano Martínez.

After the interval, Lionel Messi had his own chance from a similar range with a free-kick but sent his effort spinning harmlessly over Guillermo Ochoa’s goal.

But on 64 minutes, with a listless Argentina struggling for creativity, their captain finally produced the game’s first moment of quality by sending a low strike from 25 yards fizzing into the bottom corner.

Buoyed by that strike and with confidence restored, they put the game beyond their opponents on 87 minutes when substitute Enzo Fernández curled a beauty into the far corner after fast footwork for one of the tournament’s best goals so far.

The result means the Albiceleste have regained control of their tournament destiny after defeat in the opener ahead of facing Poland in the final game, while Mexico must win against Saudi Arabia to have any hope of progression.

Mbappé at the double as France qualify for last 16

Scorers: Mbappé 61′, 86′; Christensen 68′

France became the first team to book their place in the last 16 of the World Cup thanks to a brace from Kylian Mbappé in their victory over Denmark.

The first opportunity of the match fell to Olivier Giroud in the 10th minute, but he could only swipe at thin air after the ball had dropped to him in a promising position.

Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel then had to be alert to deny Adrien Rabiot scoring a similar header to the one he scored against Australia last week.

Jules Koundé was next to go close with an effort that had Schmeichel beaten but was blocked on the line by Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.

Andreas Cornelius then had a promising opportunity for Denmark at the other end, but he could only shoot wide of the near post.

Mbappé forced Schmeichel into another solid save earlier in the first half, before Antoine Griezmann blazed over the bar.

But the breakthrough did soon come, when Theo Hernandez found Mbappé in the box with a cut-back, and the striker side-footed past Schmeichel with the aid of a slight deflection.

The world champions’ lead didn’t last long, however, with Andreas Christensen equalising for Denmark in the 68th minute when he stooped to head home after a corner had been flicked onto him on the edge of the six-yard box.

Rabiot went close to putting back in front in the 80th minute, but his acrobatic volley flew just over the bar.

At the other end, Martin Braithwaite then had a chance to give the Danes the lead, but he could only shoot into the side netting.

And they were made to rue that miss when Mbappé found the net for a second time to make it 2-1 in the 86th minute when he converted Griezmann’s sumptuous cross with his thigh from close range.

Lewandowski nets first World Cup goal as Poland beat Saudi Arabia

Scorers: Zieliński 39′, Lewandowski 82′

Poland moved top of Group C with a victory over Saudi Arabia in which Robert Lewandowski netted his first World Cup goal and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny saved a penalty.

Mohamed Kanno went close to giving KSA the lead in the 14th minute when he drew a fine save from Szczęsny with a powerful strike.

Poland broke the deadlock somewhat against the run of play in the 40th minute when Piotr Zieliński fired into the roof of the net after Lewandowski’s clever cut back.

Saudi Arabia were then awarded a penalty when Krystian Bielik was adjudged to have fouled Saleh Alshehri in the box. Feras Albrikan took it but he was denied by an excellent Szczęsny save, before the goalkeeper then made an equally excellent stop to keep out the rebound as well.

Into the second half and Szczęsny was again called into action to deny Salem Aldawsari from close range, before Feras lashed a decent chance wide of the post.

Down at the other end, Arkadiusz Milik then went close to doubling Poland’s lead when he rattled the crossbar with a header, before Lewandowski hit the post with an effort.

Lewandowski did then get his first World Cup goal in the 82nd when he robbed Abdulelah Almalki on the edge of the Saudi Arabia box and kept his cool to slot past the goalkeeper for 2-0.

The Barcelona striker went close again in the 90th minute, but goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais made a good save to deny him one-on-one.

Duke the difference for Australia

Scorers: Duke 23′

Mitchell Duke’s 23rd-minute header was enough to earn Australia their first World Cup win since 2010 and boost their hopes of progressing to the last-16.

Craig Goodwin’s inviting cross found Duke in the middle of the area before he glanced the ball over goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen and into the bottom corner to give the Socceroos the lead.

Tunisia came back fighting and spurned two golden opportunities to equalise late in the first half with Harry Souttar last-gasp block denying Mohammed Dräger’s close range effort.

Youssef Msakni was then found at the near post but somehow hit his shot wide from six yards out with the goal gaping.

But Australia hung on to claim a priceless three points and move into second place with Denmark to come in their final game on Wednesday.

You can follow what happened yesterday here.