World Cup 2022 Group C
GROUP C
| Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
| Argentina | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 6 |
| Poland | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Mexico | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Saudi Arabia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
Joji Imamiya & Sean O'Conor
[Team Jersey Images © Soccerphile]
Argentina
After the chaotic 2018 World Cup, Lionel Scaloni steadied the ship admirably, winning the 2021 Copa America versus Brazil thanks to a delightful Ángel Di María chip over Ederson.
Di María is one of the three players to survive the regeneration project along with Messi and Nicolás Otamendi, who all played in the 2010 edition. Nineteen will make their World Cup debuts, including first-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez of Aston Villa. After a terrific 2020-21 season, Martínez's subsequent campaign was poor by his high standards but he will keep out the likes of Franco Armani and Gerónimo Rulli, who was a key member in Villarreal's ascent to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Another of the Villarreal squad was Giovani Lo Celso, but his untimely injury means the battle to partner Rodrigo De Paul and Leandro Paredes is up for grabs. 23-year-old Brighton star Alexis Mac Allister is the current favourite, but if Scaloni prefers a more pragmatic approach, he will opt for Guido Rodríguez of Real Betis. As a result of his Irish and Scottish roots, Mac Allister is nicknamed Colo (ginger in Spanish) by his teammates but it is not his favourite. He could be the wildcard here.
Another of Benfica's bargain pick-ups is Enzo Fernández, at just over €10 million from River Plate. A competent box-to-box midfielder, Fernández is capable of performing a variety of tasks, meaning he could be the breakthrough star for La Albiceleste.
Unlike the team from the Jorge Sampaoli days, there is a bigger emphasis on solidity under Scaloni, and Tottenham's Cristian Romero is a tremendous asset in creating such a culture. Superb in both Italy and England, Romero's place would not be under threat if not for his injury concerns but Lisandro Martínez can fill the gap vacated by him.
The unembellished names of the full-backs symbolise the ethics of a team dedicated to supporting Lionel Messi. La Liga-based Nahuel Molina and Marcos Acuña are tireless runners who are good at tracking back and accurate with crosses.
The three attackers are the aforementioned Di María and Messi, and Inter's Lautaro Martínez. With the absence of Romelu Lukaku, there was fear that he will not live up to its billing but whether it be on his own or with Edin Dzeko, he has become an indispensable figure for the club. Then there is Messi, who was disappointing with his goalscoring stats with only six goals from twenty-six games in Ligue 1 in France last season but there is no doubt about his numbers at the moment.
Other forward options are Paulo Dybala and Julián Álvarez. Dybala, who had a hero's welcome in the Eternal City, cannot seem to shrug off the perception that he is unable to reach the ceiling that his talents were supposed to take him to. Whether it be injuries or the lack of commitment to defensive duties, Dybala will have to be satisfied with a substitute role again. Álvarez, on the other hand, is a superstar in the making. Only given a handful of starts in the domestic league but frequently appearing in the Champions League, comparisons with Sergio Aguero are inevitable.
With no defeats in qualifying and unbeaten in 35 games, a record only surpassed by Italy, Argentina are quietly confident this will finally be their year after so many heartbreaks since the glorious triumph of Mexico 86'. To equal Maradona's legacy within Argentina, Lionel Messi has to win this tournament, or else "La Pulga" has nothing on the greatness of "El Dio".
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Argentina Kit 1 |
Argentina Kit 2 |
Argentina v Saudi Arabia 22 November; Lusail
Argentina v Mexico 26 November; Lusail
Poland v Argentina 30 November; Doha (Stadium 974)
Coach
Coach: Lionel Scaloni
Record
Best World Cup: Winners in 1978 and 1986
Formation
4-3-3
Men to watch
Perhaps Lionel Messi is too obvious a shout so how about Emi Martinez in goal? The Villa man became a cult hero overnight in a penalty shootout in the Copa America versus Colombia.
Argentina are predicted to go a long way while topping Group C comfortably.
How they qualified
They finished second in qualifying to Brazil, with no defeats.
On the sidelines
Argentina have a superior record against Germany winning ten out of twenty-three games. However, at the World Cup in six meetings Germany has lost just once - the 1986 final.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa), Franco Armani (River Plate), Geronimo Rulli (Villarreal)
Defenders: Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), German Pezzella (Real Betis), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Marcos Acuna (Sevilla), Nicolas Tagliafico (Olympique Lyonnais), Juan Foyth (Villarreal)
Midfielders: Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Leandro Paredes (Juventus), Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton), Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis), Alejandro Papu Gomez (Sevilla), Enzo Fernandez (Benfica), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen)
Strikers: Angel Di María (Juventus), Lautaro Martinez (Internazionale), Julian Alvarez (Manchester City), Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina) *replaced by Ángel Correa (Atletico Madrid), Joaquin Correa (Internazionale) *replaced by Thiago Almada (Atlanta United), Paulo Dybala (Roma), Lionel Messi (PSG).
Saudi Arabia
Hoping to avenge the ghosts of past humiliating World Cups, Saudi Arabia have rarely been this well prepared before a tournament.
Well-traveled Hervé Renard has set up an efficient and dangerous team on the counter. That approach bore fruit during the qualification cycle, as they kept their status as No.1 until the end of Third Round Group B.
Yet, Renard's most significant achievement is the installation of new blood. Legendary figures such as Taisir Al-Jassim and Osama Hawsari were discarded for the likes of Abdulelah Al-Amri, who only debuted last year and was prominent in Tokyo 2020 and Abdulellah Al-Malki, who tore his ACL earlier the year but earned the coach's trust.
There is an exciting prospect at both right-back and up top, where marauding 23-year-old Saud Abdulhamid will no doubt be crucial in starting attacks as will Al Fateh's striker Firas-Al Buraikan. Al-Buraikan popped up with important goals in qualifying and look out for his curiously ice-cool demeanour.
Other big names include Yasser Al-Shahrani at left back and Mohammed Al-Owais in goal. Al-Shahrani is one of the more experienced members of the squad and is indispensable at both club and international level. Al-Owais, on the other hand, is assigned as a bench warmer at Al-Hilal but he gets the nod for the Green Falcons.
The star of the show will no doubt be Salem Al-Dawsari, who is most similar to Ricardo Quaresma in playing style, as he likes to cut in from the right and cause havoc. A key member of the ACL-winning Al-Hilal side, he was on the scoresheet with a deflected effort in the semis against Al-Nassr.
As the first to win two Africa Cup of Nations with two different teams, Hervé Renard knows all of the ins and outs of the international game. Although his Moroccan side in Russia 2018 failed to make an impact, the Frenchman will be quietly confident of Saudi Arabia's chances and they will make sure to give a hard game on each occasion.
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Saudi Arabia Kit 1
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Saudi Arabia Kit 2
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Argentina v Saudi Arabia 22 November; Lusail
Poland v Saudi Arabia 26 November; Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan
Saudi Arabia v Mexico 30 November; Lusail
Coach
Hervé Renard
Record
Best World Cup: Second Round in 1994.
Formation
4-2-3-1
Men to watch
Having made one La Liga appearance for Villarreal, against Real Madrid no less, Salem Al-Dawsari will carry a serious threat from the right flank. Scored a big goal versus Australia in qualifying.
Most likely to end bottom but do not expect them to be the whipping boys.
How they qualified
They finished top of their group ahead of Japan and Australia.
On the sidelines
Hervé Renard has won three trophies as a manager. Two AFCONs and the COSAFA Cup, a tournament contested only by the southern African nations.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Mohamed Al-Owais (Al-Hilal), Nawaf Al-Aqidi (Al-Nassr), Mohamed Al-Yami (Al-Ahly)
Defenders: Yasser Al-Shahrani (Al-Hilal), Ali Al-Bulaihi (Al-Hilal), Abdulelah Al-Amri (Al-Nassr), Abdullah Madu (Al-Nassr), Hassan Tambakti (Al-Shabab), Sultan Al-Ghanam (Al-Nassr), Mohammed Al-Breik (Al-Hilal), Saud Abdulhamid (Al-Hilal)
Midfielders: Salman Al-Faraj (Al-Hilal), Riyadh Sharahili (Abha), Ali Al-Hassan (Al-Nassr), Mohamed Kanno (Al-Hilal), Abdulelah Al-Malki (Al-Hilal), Sami Al-Najei (Al-Nassr), Abdullah Otayf (Al-Hilal), Nasser Al-Dawsari (Al-Hilal), Abdulrahman Al-Aboud (Ittihad), Salem Al-Dawsari (Al-Hilal), Hattan Bahebri (Al-Shabab)
Strikers: Fahad Al-Muwallad (Al-Shabab), Haitham Asiri (Al-Ahly), Saleh Al-Shehri (Al-Hilal) Firas Al-Buraikan (Al-Fateh)
Mexico
El Tri are seemingly perennial World Cup participants in perpetual search of their 'el quinto partido' (the fifth game) i.e. getting beyond the second round.
Only Brazil, Argentina, Italy and Germany have been to the World Cup more than Mexico, but unlike those multiple winners, the last time the Central Americans reached the last eight was at home in 1986, which is a while ago.
Hopes were high of matching that milestone at Russia 2018 when they began with a resounding win over the holders. But optimism waned after a 3-0 loss to Sweden so there were few surprises when Brazil dismissed Mexico in the Round of 16.
Hopes of the fifth game are slim this time after dispiriting losses to Canada and the USA, while the defence is ageing and the creative generation of forwards in Giovanni Dos Santos, Javier Hernandez and Carlos Vela is no more.
Gerardo 'Tata' Martino, the former coach of Barcelona and his native Argentina, has tried to bring his signature of high pressing and quick passing to Mexico, but with limited success. The team play a patient possession game, true to their national style, but had trouble when Martino recently experimented with a five-man defence, losing 3-0 to Uruguay.
Martino's opening run of 11 games unbeaten and an overall win rate of 66% are impressive, but a trio of competitive defeats to regional rivals the USA last year have poisoned his reputation with many fans now baying for his head.
Inevitably Mexico have had to adopt a more cautious approach but in five friendlies with CONMEBOL nations this year, their only victory has been a narrow 1-0 win against Peru.
Mexico drew 0-0 with fellow qualifier Ecuador, lost 3-0 to Uruguay and were beaten by Colombia and Paraguay, who did not make it to Qatar. With the American losses and a dismal qualifying defeat by Canada also fresh in the memory, confidence levels among fans are understandably muted, although it should be noted Martino and his all-Argentine coaching staff have maintained a united dressing room.
The acid test for Tata of course is his tilt at the longer-for quarter-final in the World Cup, but most accept reaching the Round of 16 again will exceed expectations. The general feeling is of a team in transition, still searching for adequate replacements for half of the old guard.
Their first match in Qatar is their key one. With everyone expected to beat the Saudis, a win against Poland in Doha should set them on course. A draw and it comes down to taking points off Argentina, a loss and they will be going home.
Between the sticks will be a familiar face, At 37, Guillermo Ochoa is no spring chicken but his understudy Alfredo Talavera is three years older and Ochoa is a seasoned pro at his fifth World Cup finals.
Mexico values experience: Ochoa's tally of 131 appearances only places him sixth in their most-capped player list. While inevitably slowing and having wobbly seasons with América, his positioning and shot-stopping for Mexico still appear first class.
América's Nestor Araujo and Cremonese's Johan Vasquez seemed the future in central defence not long ago but Araujo disappointed in qualifying defeats and Vasquez has had a modest season in Italy.
Thus, Martino will likely turn to Monterrey's Cesar Montes and Hector Moreno. Montes is a reliable stopper who missed the qualifying defeats while Moreno (34) is at his fourth Munidal.
Keeping the club understanding, Monterrey's Jesus Gallardo should start at left back with Ajax's more attack-minded Jorge Sanchez on the right. Both are tough tacklers who will be gainfully employed against Poland's physical presence.
An alternative no.2 is Pachuca's Kevin Alvarez, rated the best young defender in the Mexican League and at left-back Gerardo Arteaga's club form for Genk demands some participation.
In midfield, another Alvarez, Ajax's holding midfielder Edson, is the first name on the teamsheet as the anchorman. Alvarez has been the best-performing Mexican player at club level for the past few seasons though has not quite translated his form to the green shirts.
Alvarez is 11 years younger than his colleague in right-midfield, skipper Andres Guardado, who like Ochoa is seeking the fifth game in his fifth World Cup and has a whopping 177 caps. If not starting, Guardado will come on as sub to settle the side, in the same way Jordan Henderson does for England.
Houston's Hector Herrera, formerly of Atletico Madrid, whose box-to-box runs make him a Martino favourite, should start on the left, although in MLS he has not shone at all as he did in Spain. A central alternative is Cruz Azul's Charly Rodriguez, whose energetic shifts could free up Edson Alvarez to orchestrate.
Pachuca's Luis Chavez could add some creativity to a midfield often criticised for a lack of spark.
Up front Martino has gambled by picking Raul Jimenez, whose injury sagas have meant only two starts for Wolves this season, but is well assisted on the right by Napoli's Hirving Lozano, famous for the goal which beat Germany in Russia 2018 and Mexico's most dynamic attacker.
Jimenez has been in gradual decline since his head injury at the end of 2020, but Martino seems to value his experience over the claims of Henry Martin, who is in sterling domestic form for América.
On the left is Guadalajara's skilful but inconsistent Alexis Vega, who cuts in onto his favoured right foot.
Supporters are lukewarm about El Tri's chances this time but that has not stopped thousands of them making the trip to the Middle East, continuing the tradition of Mexico being one of the best-supported teams in the world.
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Mexico Kit 1
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Mexico Kit 2
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Mexico v Poland 22 November; Doha (Stadium 974)
Argentina v Mexico 26 November; Lusail
Saudi Arabia v Mexico 30 November; Lusail
Coach
Gerardo Martino
Record
Best World Cup: Quarter-finals in 1970 and 1986
Formation
4-3-3 / 4-1-4-1
Men to watch
Guillermo Ochoa - A real legend for starring in his fifth World Cup finals, the curly-haired custodian still has it in him to pull off some wonder saves to keep Mexico's quest for el quinto partido alive.
Edson Alvarez - Mexico's midfield revolves around the man nicknamed 'the machine'. Still 24, the Ajax man is a fixture thanks to his astute reading of the game, passing, tackling and positional play. Linked with Chelsea and Newcastle last summer, he will flourish if played alongside the right men.
Mexico are 200/1 to lift the trophy. El Tri are in a painful transition and will struggle to get out of their group. Denmark or France would probably beat them next, but a bad World Cup in Qatar could serve as a spur to rebuild for joint-hosting in 2026.
How they qualified
Mexico finished on goal difference behind group winners Canada in CONCACAF’s third round, taking the second of three automatic qualification spots.
On the sidelines
Record scorer Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez was not picked for the final 26 despite still banging them in in MLS, while Braga winger Diego Lainez and Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez also missed the cut. But the biggest loss is talented Sevilla winger Jesus Corona, who would have started but is out with a broken ankle.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa (Club America), Alfredo Talavera (Juarez), Rodolfo Cota (Leon)
Defenders: Jorge Sanchez (Ajax), Kevin Alvarez (Pachuca), Nestor Araujo (Club America), Johan Vasquez (Cremonese), Hector Moreno (Monterrey), Cesar Montes (Monterrey), Gerardo Arteaga (Genk), Jesus Gallardo (Monterrey)
Midfielders: Andres Guardado (Real Betis), Hector Herrera (Houston Dynamo), Charly Rodriguez (Cruz Azul), Erick Gutierrez (PSV Eindhoven), Luis Chavez (Pachuca), Edson Alvarez (Ajax), Orbelin Pineda (AEK Athens), Luis Romo (Monterrey)
Strikers: Alexis Vega (Guadalajara), Hirving Lozano (Napoli), Raul Jimenez (Wolves), Roberto Alvarado (Guadalajara), Uriel Antuna (Cruz Azul), Henry Martin (Club America), Rogelio Funes Mori (Monterrey)
Poland
Having endured two consecutive horrific major tournaments, Poland were not necessarily the favourites against Sweden in the playoffs, who dispatched The Eagles in an entertaining 3-2 win at Euro 2020.
Journeyman as both player and coach, Portuguese Paulo Sosa saw his popularity dwindle after losing to Hungary on the final matchday. They were therefore assigned to one of the unseeded sides for the playoffs. He was relieved of his duties in late 2021 after receiving compensation. Czesław Michniewicz had the sole rendition against Scotland beforehand when the crucial game came. In a tense match, two of the biggest names Robert Lewandowski and Piotr Zieliński came up with the goals.
The summer move to Barcelona has not diminished Lewandowski's goalscoring prowess; if anything, he is going from strength to strength. Having said that, he had never had a great tournament, even when the Poles reached the knock-outs in Euro 2016. Arkadiusz Milik is another striker in form. As he pulled out of Euro 2020 through injury, he has a lot to prove but as he is leading the line admirably for an ordinary Juventus team, Poland will have plenty of firepower.
Poland have a captivating mixture of young and old where the best example is seen in midfield. Grzegorz Krychowiak, formerly of West Brom, who now applies his trade in Saudi Arabia, will probably partner with Birmingham City's Krystian Bielik as both Leeds's Mateusz Klich and Karol Linetty failed to make the final cut as a consequence of lack of game time at their clubs (though Linetty has started most games for Torino). Brighton's Jakub Moder is desperately unfortunate to miss out due to a long-term cruciate ligament rupture.
Assuming Poland will play three at the back, Sebastian Szymański of Feyenoord and Matty Cash will fill the wing-back roles. Exiled from Dynamo Moscow, Szymański has adapted to Eredivisie football like a duck to water while Matty Cash, who qualifies as a Polish player thanks to his maternal side, has instantly claimed the right-hand role over Sampdoria's Bartosz Bereszyński.
Kamil Glik and Jan Bednarek have been the mainstay of the defence for years now with Spezia's Jakub Kiwior giving way to accommodate them. Glik's maturity gives Poland a solid base that no one else can offer, and as a 34-year-old, this should be the vice-captain's final World Cup along with Lewandowski.
Poland had a tendency of rotating between Wojciech Szczęsny and Łukasz Fabiański but as a result of the West Ham man's retirement, Szczęsny is now the undisputed No.1.
Though Poland are blessed with a talented squad that is unrivalled in the modern era, their Nations League performance suggests they are substantially inferior to the big European nations. A 6-1 defeat to Belgium in Brussels was a particularly painful reminder of how brittle their defence can be.
Do not expect Poland to raise awareness of the human rights issues or anything political regarding Qatar but they have been the driving force behind Russia's ban from FIFA and subsequent matches. When Lewandowski met Andriy Shevchenko back in September, the Barcelona star promised to represent Ukraine in the finals with a blue and yellow captain's armband.
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Poland Kit 1
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Poland Kit 2
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Mexico v Poland 22 November; Doha (Stadium 974)
Poland v Saudi Arabia 26 November; Al Rayyan
Poland v Argentina 30 November; Doha (Stadium 974)
Coach
Czesław Michniewicz
Record
Best World Cup: Third in 1974 and 1982.
Formation
3-4-2-1
Men to watch
Can it be anyone other than Robert Lewandowski? The transition from Bundesliga to La Liga has not affected his performances at all.
They are predicted to battle it out with Mexico for second place as Argentina will surely run away with it in Group C.
How they qualified
Allocated to the same group as England in Group I, Poland triumphed over Sweden to qualify.
On the sidelines
Charlotte FC's Karol Swiderski was a real thorn in Wales' side as he scored the winner in both games in the Nations League.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Bartlomiej Dragowski (Spezia), Lukasz Skorupski (Bologna), Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus)
Defenders: Jan Bednarek (Aston Villa), Bartosz Bereszynski (Sampdoria), Matty Cash (Aston Villa), Kamil Glik (Benevento), Robert Gumny (Augsburg), Artur Jedrzejczyk (Legia Warsaw), Jakub Kiwior (Spezia), Mateusz Wieteska (Clermont Foot), Nicola Zalewski (AS Roma)
Midfielders: Krystian Bielik (Birmingham City), Przemyslaw Frankowski (Lens), Kamil Grosicki (Pogon Szczecin), Jakub Kaminski (Wolfsburg), Grzegorz Krychowiak (Al-Shabab), Michal Skoras (Lech Poznan), Damian Szymanski (AEK Athens), Sebastian Szymanski (Feyenoord), Piotr Zielinski (Napoli), Szymon Zurkowski (Fiorentina)
Strikers: Robert Lewandowski (FC Barcelona), Arkadiusz Milik (Juventus), Krzysztof Piatek (Salernitana), Karol Swiderski (Charlotte FC)