For the third time in a World Cup, the path of Argentina crosses that of Poland, with the pass to the round of 16 of Qatar 2002 at stake and the need for a good result for both the albiceleste and the Europeans.
The Argentines and Poles have not met on a pitch since 2011, the last of the eight international friendly matches they have shared. The balance, in this case, is favorable for the South American team who have won 5, tied 1 and lost 2 against the European team with which they will be measured on Wednesday.
One of the two defeats conceded by the Argentine team in the preparation clashes was the last time they met, in June 2011, when the European team won 2-0 with goals from Adrian Mierzejewski and Pawel Brozek.
Men like goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, Kamil Glik, Grzegorz Krychowiak or Robert Lewandowski were already playing in Poland who will face Lionel Scaloni’s squad in search of the round of 16 of Qatar 2022.
In two consecutive tournaments, in Germany 1974, which ended with a 3-2 victory for Poland and four years later, in Argentina 1978 where the albiceleste prevailed, ending as world champion.
They met for the first time in a World Cup in Germany 1974 where the European team completed one of the best performances in its history in this competition.
It was in the group stage, on June 15. Poland prevailed 3-2 with two goals from Grzegorz Lato, who finished as top scorer, and Andrzej Szarmach. ‘Cacho’ Heredia and Carlos Babington scored the goals for the albiceleste led by Vladislao Cap.
Poland finished, for the first time in its history, on the podium of the tournament. Argentina was second in Group 4 and reached the second phase, where they were eliminated and left out of the semifinals.
Four years later they saw each other again. Poland and Argentina met in Group B of the second leg of the World Cup and a double from Kempes he gave revenge to the albiceleste who won 2-0. The South American team, which won its first world championship in this edition, qualified for the final phase. Poland, however, was left out.
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