Lionel Messi had a penalty saved but Argentina still advanced to the last 16 of the World Cup as Group C winners after a 2-0 victory over Poland yesterday.
Poland also went through as runners-up as a 2-1 win for Mexico over Saudi Arabia in the group’s other game ensure Czeslaw Michniewicz’s side advanced only on goal difference.
Australia also reached the last 16 of the World Cup for only the second time in their history with a 1-0 win over a disappointing Denmark yesterday.
Winger Mathew Leckie scored the winner on the hour with a smart run and finish to end 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 in second place behind holders France in Group D.
Meanwhile, Tunisia ended their Qatar World Cup campaign on a high note, beating holders France 1-0 in their final match at the Education City Stadium yesterday.
French-born Wahbi Khazri scored the only goal of the match, but the shock victory was not enough for them to join the defending champions in the last 16 of the tournament in Qatar.
Khazri steered home a 58th-minute winner amid a cluster of defenders for only a third victory at six World Cup tournaments for Tunisia but they were still eliminated.
France, who made nine changes for this match from the team that beat Denmark and had already booked their place in the knockout stages, finished top of Group D on goal difference from runners-up Australia, who beat Denmark 1-0 at the same time.
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Today’s Matches
Croatia v Belgium (4;00pm)
Canada v Morocco (4:00pm)
Japan v Spain (8:00pm)
Costa Rica v Germany (8:00om)
Yesterday’s Results
France 0-1Tunisia
Australia 1-0Denmark
Argentina 2-0 Poland
Saudi Arabia 1-2 Mexico
