Veterans Messi and Lewandowski face off for knockout berth

Two of probably the most intimidating strikers in world soccer, Argentina’s 35-year-old Lionel Messi and Poland’s 34-year-old Robert Lewandowski, line up in opposition to one another on Wednesday with a final 16 place at stake within the World Cup.

Messi has scored twice in Argentina’s extraordinary begin to the marketing campaign, struggling one of many greatest upsets within the match’s historical past by the hands of Saudi Arabia earlier than masterminding a euphoric victory over Mexico.

The sensible Argentine, whose workforce are one of many match favourites, is enjoying his fifth and last marketing campaign, which means it’s his final probability to match Diego Maradona and elevate the trophy for his longing homeland.

“We had to give everyone peace of mind to be able to approach the Poland game in a different way,” Messi stated after the extraordinary strain across the Mexico match.

With Argentina second in Group C on three factors, one behind the Poles, they need to win to make sure of progressing and conserving alive their dream of a 3rd World Cup title.

A draw can be sufficient for the South Americans too if Mexico and Saudi Arabia additionally finish stage.

‘EMOTIONAL’ LEWANDOWSKI

Like Messi, Lewandowski can be his nation’s all-time high scorer and is on presumably his final mission at a World Cup. He has been in scorching type for Messi’s outdated membership Barcelona and has additionally had an eventful begin in Qatar.

Lewandowski uncharacteristically missed a penalty in Poland’s opening draw with Mexico earlier than scoring his first-ever World Cup objective of their 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia.

That decreased him to tears.

“The older I get, the more emotional I get, and I’m aware that it might be my last World Cup actually,” stated Lewandowski

Poland, who haven’t reached the knockout stage since 1986, will undergo with a win or draw in opposition to Argentina.