For children (and parents), nothing like a France - Tunisia to occupy a cold Wednesday afternoon in November.
If France already holds its round of 16 of the World Cup, as well as, barring a dramatic change, first place in the group, the suspense is complete in group D. Tunisia, in the event of an exploit against the Blues, as Denmark and Australia, opposed in the other meeting, can all still believe in it.
In group C, the dramatic intensity is even higher.
Poland-Argentina and Saudi Arabia-Mexico constitute two "finals", with all four teams still likely to qualify.
The program
4 p.m.: Tunisia - France (beIN, TF1);
Australia - Denmark (beIN)
8 p.m.: Poland v Argentina (beIN), Saudi Arabia v Mexico (beIN)
Big game: Poland v Argentina
Favorites of the group in theory, Poland like Argentina dropped points on the way.
The Poles, if they did not concede a single goal in two games, could not take the best of Mexico (0-0).
For its part, Argentina was on the verge of an industrial disaster by losing to Saudi Arabia in the initial match to everyone's surprise (2-1), before ensuring the union minimum in front of Mexico (2-0) .
As a result, the Albiceleste face Poland with the virtual obligation to win.
A draw at Doha's 974 Stadium coupled with a Saudi Arabia win over Mexico would see Hervé Renard's side move ahead of Argentina.
A draw between Poland and Argentina matched by a big victory for Mexico would also be fatal for Leo Messi and his family.
"We know that if we win, we qualify," summarized Scaloni.
It's a tough group and we knew it could happen.
This victory (over Mexico) helps and comforts us.
It confirms that we are on the right path…”
"The start of the game will be quite tough, I think," said Lisandro Martinez, the Argentine defender.
We will have to be concentrated, to strike when we have the opportunity.
Poland are a very tough opponent, who defend very well.
We must avoid counterattacks.
We have to stay calm, not put too much pressure on ourselves.
We do things well and we must continue to work this way.
It's a pride to wear this jersey, we have to show off our chest for this team.
»
For an hour against Mexico, Argentina seemed consumed by stress, aware that a conceded goal risked sending them home prematurely.
But then Messi came on with a superb goal and the Argentinians eventually won 2-0.
“There is a feeling of relief but it is difficult to make people understand that the sun will shine tomorrow, whether we win or not”, tried to put Scaloni into perspective.
Only, Argentina is crazy about football and dreams with Messi of a third world title after those of 1978 and 1986, the masterpiece of Diego Maradona.
Poland is in a more enviable situation.
“I'm happy that we are playing against Argentina, says Czeslaw Michniewicz, the coach.
No one should feel stressed or pressured.
They (the players) must be happy because it's rare to have this kind of opportunity.
We will do everything to win, because we can do it.
We are first in the group, we are very happy.
»
Player to watch: Robert Lewandowski
The former Bayern Munich today in Barcelona, 34, exorcised Saturday against the Saudis (2-0) conflicting relations with the World Cup, confirmed by a missed penalty against Mexico at the start.
The center-forward of Barcelona, rarely decisive in major international tournaments with his selection, finally scored his first goal in the World Cup, in the second match.
"It's a hugely important goal and it's a childhood dream come true today," he said.
I made it and I'm so proud.
“For this serial scorer, more than 600 career achievements, logic would have it continue now, now the counter unlocked.
In addition to the 2-0 goal against the Saudis, Lewandowski also touched a post and offered the opener to Zielinski.
“Lewandowski is a great player, salutes Scaloni,
Argentina coach.
It is a privilege and a pleasure to see him up close.
“Lisandro Martinez, the Argentine defender is on his guard: “We have to be prepared.
We know that he moves very well and that he always finds himself in a position to score.
We have to be focused until the end, be solid.
»
The sentence: “This is not a match between Messi and Lewandowski.
This is not tennis…”
"It's not a match between Messi and Lewandowski," Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz said on Tuesday.
When the draw was made in April, and we saw that Poland and Argentina were going to face each other, everyone thought about it.
I'm calm about it.
I think it's a Poland-Argentina game, not between Robert and Leo.
Lionel Messi is a fantastic player, as Robert is.
This is not a game between Messi and Lewandowski.
It's not tennis, it's not one-on-one.
Robert needs his teammates and the same goes for Leo.
We can count on these scorers, but we can't win individually, it's a collective effort.
»
The number: 0
Despite zero goals scored in two games, Mexico is mathematically still in a position to qualify for the round of 16, on the necessary but not sufficient condition of beating Saudi Arabia on Wednesday evening.
“As long as there is a chance, you must always try it,” promised Argentina coach Mexico Gerardo Tata Martino, whose selection has reached the eighth of the last seven editions, without ever going beyond.