Matchday 11 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup was a combative one, with every game hotly contested.
Match 38
Tunisia v France
In a game that had massive implications for the other match in Group D, a moment of brilliance from captain Wahbi Khazri gave Tunisia their first goal of this World Cup and a 1-0 win over France.
Having already qualified for the Round of 16, Coach Didier Deschamps opted to rest virtually his entire first team for France’s final group game and the reserves had trouble handling Tunisia from the start.
Needing to win and have Australia lose or draw with Denmark, Tunisian fans inside Education City stadium erupted when Khazri opened their World Cup account in the 58th minute, fending off French defenders on a run through the middle of the field before steering the ball home.
Deschamps and France gradually decided to chase a result as time ticked away, bringing on the likes of Mbappe, Dembele and Griezmann as the latter very nearly scored an equaliser in the final minute of stoppage time only for it to be given offside.
It was heartbreak for Tunisia at the final whistle, a win over the reigning champions not enough after Mathew Leckie’s winner for the Socceroos consolidated second place for Australia who join France in the Round of 16.
Match 37
Australia v Denmark
Australia secured a place in the FIFA World Cup round of 16 for only the second time in their history after defeating Denmark 1-0 in their final group match at Qatar 2022.
The match began with a fast-paced opening 25 minutes, in which the Aussies took their time to settle amid both sides' attacking approaches to their match.
However, it did not take long for Graham Arnold's men to find their feet once they adjusted, managing to contain the star-studded Danish midfield of Christian Eriksen, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Mathias Jensen as well as limiting the damage up top, courtesy of some crucial blocks and interceptions from defender Harry Souttar.
Despite being dominated in possession, Australia found themselves with the ball in times of the match that mattered, namely when Riley McGree threaded the ball through to Matthew Leckie off a fast break, with the Melbourne City attacker dancing around Danish defender Joakim Maehle and firing through his legs, past Kasper Schmiechal to net the opener.
After seeing off a flurry of Danish chances and reverting to a back five amid some late substitutions, Australia famously held on for victory to set up a round of 16 meeting with Argentina on Sunday morning (AEDT).
Match 39
Poland v Argentina
Argentina secured top spot in Group C after defeating Poland 2-0 at Stadium 974.
Alexis Mac Allister broke the deadlock one minute into the second half, having finally found a way through the impenetrable Wojciech Szczesny.
Szczesny had denied Lionel Messi from the penalty spot in the first half, but he was unable to keep Poland in the contest after the restart.
La Albiceleste continued to push and probe the Polish defence and they eventually earned their second through Julian Alvarez.
Poland failed to create any chances of their own throughout the 90 minutes but will still join their South American rivals in the Round 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 Round of 16 was decided in stoppage time, a late goal for Saudi Arabia meaning that while Mexico won 2-1, they were short of the required goal difference to overtake Poland.
Henry Martin scored the opener just after halftime, knocking it in from close range from a corner routine. A long range freekick just minutes later. From almost 35 yards out, Luis Chavez sent a free kick thundering into the top corner to put Mexico 2-0 up.
Argentina went 2-0 up on Poland soon after, and Mexico needed just one more goal to progress. Repeatedly they came agonizingly close to to achieving it. Hirving Lozano found the net but saw the goal ruled out for offside and then Martin really should have scored but volleyed over the bar with just the goalkeeper to beat, immediately dropping his head into his hands.
Mexico were leading 2-0 into stoppage time, and combined with Poland's defeat to Argentina by the same scoreline meant the two teams would finish level on points, goal differential, goals scored, goals conceded and head-to-head record having drawn their opening group game 0-0, the only tie-breaker a small lead for Poland on fair play points.
The Central American team attacked hard, and had a number of chances to grab a third goal with Hirving Lozano and Uriel Antuna having goals ruled out for offside, while Martin volleyed over the crossbar.
Saudi Arabia killed off the game in added time, breaking through the Mexico defence with Salem Al-Dawsari slotting the ball home.
