- Dismal Denmark crash out of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
- Argentina, Poland, Australia enter last 16
- Heartbreak for Mexico
On the other hand, it was heartbreak for Mexico as they bowed out despite winning their match against Saudi Arabia. The Saudis, who had earlier recorded a famous victory against Argentina, put up a fight against Mexico but fell short in the end. It was still a tremendous performance, making the Arab world proud of their heroics.
Earlier, Tunisia stunned France to register yet another famous Arab performance in the World Cup, while Denmark - a pre-tournament dark horse - ended their campaign with barely a whimper after losing to Australia in their last match. France's loss did not matter as they had already qualified for the last 16.
Argentina will play against Australia (December 3, 10pm) in the Round of 16, while France will take on Poland (December 4, 6pm).
MESSI MISS DOESN'T MATTER
Undeterred by a missed Lionel Messi penalty, Argentina qualified for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 in emphatic fashion when they outclassed Poland 2-0 in a Group C clash at Stadium 974 Wednesday.
Alexis Mac Allister (46) and Julian Alvarez (67) scored for the South Americans after Messi's spot kick was brilliantly saved by Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny in the 39th minute.
Argentina topped the group with six points, while Poland also made it to the knockouts despite the loss as they edged past Mexico on goal difference.
MEXICO BEAT VALIANT SAUDI, BUT MISS OUT ON LAST 16
Mexico beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in World Cup Group C Wednesday but fell agonisingly short of reaching the last 16 on goal difference.
Quickfire second-half strikes from Henry Martin and Luis Chavez had put Mexico on course to reach the knockout stages and Uriel Antuna also put the ball in the net but the effort was disallowed for offside.
The Group C match was held at Lusail Stadium.
Saudi Arabia pulled a goal back in stoppage time through Salem al-Dawsari.
TUNISIA REGISTER FAMOUS WIN
Wahbi Khazri scored the only goal of the game as Tunisia claimed a famous 1-0 win over holders France in a Group D match of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Wednesday, but it was not enough for them to reach the last 16.
France coach Didier Deschamps, whose team were already through to the knockout stage, made nine changes but they were a shadow of their usual selves and Khazri punished them in the 58th minute at Education City Stadium.
It looked as though Tunisia would be denied their win in the final moments but an Antoine Griezmann goal in stoppage time was disallowed following a VAR review.
This was Tunisia's first win against European opposition at a World Cup and just their third ever in 18 matches at the tournament.
However, Australia's 1-0 win in the other Group D match against Denmark denied them progress to the last 16 for the first time.
AUSTRALIA SEND DENMARK HOME
Australia coach Graham Arnold hailed the Socceroos' "remarkable" achievement after they reached the last 16 of the World Cup for only the second time with a 1-0 win over Denmark in a Group C tie Wednesday.
Winger Mathew Leckie scored the winner on the hour with a smart run and finish to extinguish Denmark's Qatar hopes at the group stage.
Australia, who made the knockout rounds in 2006 when they had Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill and Mark Viduka in their ranks, have now won back-to-back World Cup games for the first time.
They progressed to the knockouts behind holders France in Group D. Tunisia was third in the group while Denmark finished last.
