Group C in the World Cup invited us to two decisive games in the last round of the group stage.
In fact, any of the four teams - Argentina, Poland, Mexico, Saudi Arabia - can finish today's games being in the round of 16 or alternatively on their way home.
The match between Saudi Arabia and Mexico is a meeting between a team that surprised a lot and a team that has disappointed so far.
The coach of the Saudis, Herva Renard, created a fast and dynamic team that plays smart and creative football.
On the other hand, the Mexicans did not leave an impression of a team with abilities beyond the medium level.
At the same time, in this World Cup each game stands on its own and one should not be thrown away from one game in relation to the future.
One thing is certain: regardless of the results of the parallel match between Poland and Argentina, tonight's victory for Saudi Arabia will guarantee them promotion to the next stage, for the first time since their debut in the World Cup in 1994.
Lewandowski.
Excited about the World Cup more than anything else, photo: Reuters
The most important class of all
With all due respect to the Saudis and Mexicans, tonight's main match will bring together two soccer legends - Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski.
The undisputed star of Barca for years, who was forced to leave for Paris Saint-Germain, will face the veteran striker, the goal machine, who joined Barcelona this season.
Poland's Lewandowski shed a tear in the match against Saudi Arabia, after scoring his first ever goal in the World Cup.
It turns out that a goal in this major tournament can also excite a striker who has met most of the networks in Europe in recent years.
On the other hand, Messi in his new version, less fast and more dominant in the midfield, provided two goals in the first two games and demonstrated impressive leadership after the unexpected loss in the opening game against Saudi Arabia.
It is not easy to be Messi when the entire Argentine nation expects victory.
Everything rests on the shoulders of the flea, and he must function at the highest level.
The fact that this is the last time that the greatest players of the generation will be able to achieve the Holy Grail only intensifies the pressure on him.
Argentina fans.
They hang their happiness at Messi's feet, photo: AP
Lewandowski also knows that this World Cup is his last, and he too is expected to score the goals that will lead Poland to the round of 16 for the first time since the 1986 World Cup.
These two superstars are fighting for their legacies, just before they step off the international stage as part of their national team.
Both of them knew in the past how to deal with such tremendous pressure to deliver results, but the fact that they won't have the opportunity to make amends in the future is a new situation for them.
Therefore, as great as they are, Lewandowski and Messi, who play in national teams that have not left a special impression in terms of the quality of the game, will need to excel on the part of their teammates in the national uniform to achieve the long-awaited victory.
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