Qatar 2022: Poland Avoids Disastrous and Bizarre Cards Rule in Qualification for Last 16 While Mexico Exits

• Group C of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar proved to be a highly dramatic one
• Poland snuck into the last with Argentina, while Mexico and Saudi Arabia go home
• Had the Mexicans beaten Saudi Arabia, Poland could have lost out on a technicality

Going into the last round of matches in Group C of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, all four teams could have sealed qualification into the Round of 16.

Argentina and Poland made it into the next stage of the competition, while Mexico and Saudi Arabia fought in vain to much disappointment.

Argentina defeated Poland 2-0, while Mexico saw off Saudi Arabia 2-1 in the simultaneous kick-offs. Had the Mexicans just won by two or more goals, they would have advanced at the expense of the Polish.

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In a breakdown of what was unfolding, The Express wrote:

"Mexico have been knocked out of the World Cup, with Poland avoiding an anxious wait on the bizarre yellow card rule. Remarkably, Mexico and Poland were also level on goal difference and goals scored."

The report stated that with the two nations drawing against each other, the second position would have been decided by disciplinary records - if they had remained tied on score.

"For every yellow card a team receives in the tournament, they're given minus one point, an indirect red card equals minus three points, and a direct red card equals minus four points. Heading into the final group matches, Mexico had picked up six yellow cards while Poland were on four."

Edson Alvarez then got an unnecessary booking against the Saudis, while Grzegorz Krychowiak made things interesting against Argentina with his own caution.

The rest of the scenario can be read here.

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Szczesny made bet with Messi

Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny made a bet with Lionel Messi over the controversial penalty decision, late in the first half against Argentina.

The Juventus goalkeeper made his second penalty save in the 2022 World Cup, guessing correctly to swat Messi's effort away and keep the scoreline 0-0 at the break.

Despite producing a disappointing performance against the South Americans, Poland joined Argentina in the last 16 of the World Cup.

Messi snubs Robert Lewandowski’s apology

Lionel Messi appeared to ignore the outstretched arm of Robert Lewandowski, during Argentina's clash against Poland.

Lewandowski had fouled Messi towards the tail end of the last group C fixture at Stadium 974 in Qatar.

The centre referee gave the foul and Lewandowski, in the spirit of good sportsmanship, reached out to Messi as if to offer an apology.