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Mexico out of the World Cup 2022 on goal difference tiebreaker; Argentina, Poland advance from Group C

Day 11 of the World Cup ended on a tense goal differential tiebreaker

With Group A and Group B in the books, it was Group C and D's turn to sort out who would be advancing to the World Cup knockout round on Wednesday. For Mexico, their 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia wasn't enough to overcome their goal differential deficit against Poland. Lionel Messi and Argentina downed Robert Lewandowski's Poland 2-0 meaning that Argentina wins Group C and Poland advance in second place For much of the match it looked like the fair play tiebreaker would be the deciding factor with Mexico and Poland equal on points, goal differential and goals scored, but a late Saudi Arabia goal sealed the deal and dropped Mexico behind Poland. Mexico failed to reach the knockout rounds for the first time since 1978. Poland are through to the final 16 on better goal differential.

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Before that, in Group D Tunisia won 1-0 against France while Australia won 1-0 against Denmark. France, despite losing the match, will advance after winning the group stage while Australia managed to win and will play again in the Round of 16 of the World Cup for the first time since 2006, and only the second time in their history. Denmark ended up last in the group after a very disappointing campaign. 

Group C standings

GROUP CMPW-D-LGDPTS
Argentina (group winners) 3 2-1-0 +3 6
Poland (group runners-up) 3 1-1-1 0 4
Mexico (eliminated)31-1-1-14
Saudi Arabia (eliminated)31-0-2-23

Group D standings

GROUP DMPW-D-LGDPTS
France (group winners) 3 2-0-1 +3 6
Australia (group runners-up) 3 2-0-1 -1 6
Tunisia (eliminated)31-1-104
Denmark (eliminated)30-1-2-21

World Cup scores, results

Wednesday, Nov. 30
Tunisia 1, France 0
Australia 1, Denmark 0
Poland 0 vs. Argentina 2
Saudi Arabia 1, Mexico 2

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Live updates
 
Pinned

Fulltime: Saudi Arabia 1-2 Mexico

El Tri finally break through on goal this World Cup but make a different kind of history as the first Mexican side to be eliminated from the knockout rounds since 1978.

 

HT: two draws so far

Both games are still on the 0-0 after the end of the first half. If nothing changes in the second part of the matches, France and Australia will advance to the next round. 

 

Still no goals so far

Both games are still on the same result with less than ten minutes before the end of the first half

 

Camavinga awkward at left back

Deschamps' tactical innovation with Eduardo Camavinga at left back is not going to plan so far with the Real Madrid man looking very out of place and ill at ease with his new role. He has been training in the position, but stepping in for Theo Hernandez has proved a difficult leap in the opening 25 minutes or so here. Camavinga took a knock moments ago, but seems fine to continue.

 

A solid start for Denmark 

The Danish team started off pretty well this first half and already had two chances to score the opening goal, especially one attempt of midfielder Mathias Jensen. Australia are defending well so far. 

 

Tunisia offside!

The Eagles of Carthage think they have opened the scoring through Nader Ghandri, but he is flagged offside to the dismay of a strong Tunisian crowd. Meanwhile, Borussia Monchengladbach man Marcus Thuram is reportedly ill and unable to feature heavily for Didier Deschamps' men. However, some new records are being set with Axel Disasi the first French international debutant during a World Cup since 1966. Steve Mandanda also breaks Bernard Lama's record from 2000 as the oldest player for Les Bleus at nearly 38.
 

Underway

Kick-off in both Al Rayyan and Al Wakrah! Big 90 minutes ahead for Denmark, Australia, and Tunisia. You can keep up with all of it right here! Will the Danes be able to live up to expectations and advance, can the Aussies spring a surprise, or can the Tunisians accomplish the unthinkable? 

 

Group D recap

A reminder of how France already qualified and why Tunisia really need to win here...

Les Bleus opened with a 4-1 win over Australia after falling behind and the defending champions followed that up with a 2-1 victory over Denmark. Mbappe scored once against the Socceroos and twice against the Danes for three goals so far in Qatar. 

The Eagles of Carthage earned a respectable 0-0 draw with the Scandinavians before going down 1-0 to the Aussies which is why even a draw might not be enough for Jalel Kadri's side today.

 

Australia vs. Denmark lineups

Australia XI: Ryan, Degenek, Rowles, Souttar, Behich, Mooy, McGree, Irvine, Leckie, Goodwin, Duke.

Denmark XI: Schmeichel, Kristensen, Andersen, Christensen, Maehle, Höjbjerg, Jensen, Eriksen, Olsen, Lindström, Braithwaite.

 

Road to Round of 16

While France are already qualified to the next round, let's see what Australia, Denmark and Tunisia need to do in order to qualify for the Round of 16. 

  • France: Already qualified to the Round of 16. Will win the group with a win or draw against Tunisia or with Australia's loss to Denmark
  • Australia: Will qualify to the next round with a win vs. Denmark, or with a draw if Tunisia lose or draw. 
  • Denmark: Can qualify to the Round of 16 with a win vs. Australia and Tunisia's draw or loss. If Tunisia win, Denmark need to have a better goal difference. 
  • Tunisia: Can qualify with a win and a draw between Australia and Denmark. If Denmark win, Tunisia need to have a better goal difference to access to the Round of 16. 
 

No Mbappe for France

Starting XI news from Tunisia vs. France as Didier Deschamps makes wholesale changes to his team. Kylian Mbappe does not start for France. Raphael Varane is captain with Hugo Lloris replaced by Steve Mandanda. Axel Disasi, Eduardo Camavinga, Youssouf Fofana, Jordan Veretout, Kingsley Coman, Randal Kolo Muani, and Matteo Guendouzi also start. Camaving starts at left back -- no, really. As for the Tunisians, Montpellier's Wahbi Khazri will be familiar to many French fans and should be the Eagles of Carthage's main goal threat.

Tunisia: Dahmen; Kechrida, Talbi, Meriah, Ghandri, Maaloul; Skhiri, Laidouni, Ben Romdhane, Ben Slimane; Khazri. 

France: Mandanda; Disasi, Konate, Varane (c), Camavinga; Fofana, Tchouameni, Veretout; Coman, Kolo Muani, Guendouzi.

 

Hello and welcome! 

A new crucial day of the 2022 World Cup is about to start. Let's take a look at today's schedule:

Wednesday, Nov. 30
Tunisia vs. France, 10 a.m. ET (FOX and Telemundo)
Australia vs. Denmark, 10 a.m. ET (FS1)
Poland vs. Argentina, 2 p.m. ET (FOX)
Saudi Arabia vs. Mexico, 2 p.m. ET (FS1 and Telemundo)

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