Matchday 11 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup was a combative one, with each sport hotly contested.
Match 38
Tunisia v France
In a sport that had large implications for the opposite match in Group D, a second of brilliance from captain Wahbi Khazri gave Tunisia their first purpose of this World Cup and a 1-0 win over France.
Having already certified for the Spherical of 16, Coach Didier Deschamps opted to relaxation nearly his complete first staff for France’s ultimate group sport and the reserves had hassle dealing with Tunisia from the beginning.
Needing to win and have Australia lose or draw with Denmark, Tunisian followers inside Schooling Metropolis stadium erupted when Khazri opened their World Cup account within the 58th minute, keeping off French defenders on a run by the center of the sphere earlier than steering the ball residence.
Deschamps and France step by step determined to chase a end result as time ticked away, bringing on the likes of Mbappe, Dembele and Griezmann because the latter very practically scored an equaliser within the ultimate minute of stoppage time just for it to be given offside.
It was heartbreak for Tunisia on the ultimate whistle, a win over the reigning champions not sufficient after Mathew Leckie’s winner for the Socceroos consolidated second place for Australia who be part of France within the Spherical of 16.
Match 37
Australia v Denmark
Australia secured a spot within the FIFA World Cup spherical of 16 for under the second time of their historical past after defeating Denmark 1-0 of their ultimate group match at Qatar 2022.
The match started with a fast-paced opening 25 minutes, by which the Aussies took their time to settle amid either side’ attacking approaches to their match.
Nevertheless, it didn’t take lengthy for Graham Arnold’s males to seek out their toes as soon as they adjusted, managing to include the star-studded Danish midfield of Christian Eriksen, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Mathias Jensen in addition to limiting the injury up high, courtesy of some essential blocks and interceptions from defender Harry Souttar.
Regardless of being dominated in possession, Australia discovered themselves with the ball in instances of the match that mattered, particularly when Riley McGree threaded the ball by to Matthew Leckie off a quick break, with the Melbourne Metropolis attacker dancing round Danish defender Joakim Maehle and firing by his legs, previous Kasper Schmiechal to web the opener.
After seeing off a flurry of Danish probabilities and reverting to a again 5 amid some late substitutions, Australia famously held on for victory to arrange a spherical of 16 assembly with Argentina on Sunday morning (AEDT).
Match 39
Poland v Argentina
Argentina secured high spot in Group C after defeating Poland 2-0 at Stadium 974.
Alexis Mac Allister broke the impasse one minute into the second half, having lastly discovered a approach by the impenetrable Wojciech Szczesny.
Szczesny had denied Lionel Messi from the penalty spot within the first half, however he was unable to maintain Poland within the contest after the restart.
La Albiceleste continued to push and probe the Polish defence and so they ultimately earned their second by Julian Alvarez.
Poland didn’t create any possibilities of their very own all through the 90 minutes however will nonetheless be part of their South American rivals within the Spherical of 16 after edging Mexico to second spot.
Match 40
Saudi Arabia v Mexico
Mexico exited the World Cup as Group C qualification to the Spherical of 16 was determined in stoppage time, a late purpose for Saudi Arabia that means that whereas Mexico gained 2-1, they had been in need of the required purpose distinction to overhaul Poland.
Henry Martin scored the opener simply after halftime, knocking it in from shut vary from a nook routine. An extended vary freekick simply minutes later. From virtually 35 yards out, Luis Chavez despatched a free kick thundering into the highest nook to place Mexico 2-0 up.
Argentina went 2-0 up on Poland quickly after, and Mexico wanted only one extra purpose to progress. Repeatedly they got here agonizingly near to reaching it. Hirving Lozano discovered the web however noticed the purpose dominated out for offside after which Martin actually ought to have scored however volleyed over the bar with simply the goalkeeper to beat, instantly dropping his head into his fingers.
Mexico had been main 2-0 into stoppage time, and mixed with Poland’s defeat to Argentina by the identical scoreline meant the 2 groups would end degree on factors, purpose differential, targets scored, targets conceded and head-to-head file having drawn their opening group sport 0-0, the one tie-breaker a small lead for Poland on honest play factors.
The Central American staff attacked arduous, and had various probabilities to seize a 3rd purpose with Hirving Lozano and Uriel Antuna having targets dominated out for offside, whereas Martin volleyed over the crossbar.
Saudi Arabia killed off the sport in added time, breaking by the Mexico defence with Salem Al-Dawsari slotting the ball residence.
