In a technically weak match, the only memorable moment was goalkeeper Ochoa defending Lewandowski’s penalty kick.
When the official World Cup table was released, the football community considered that Argentina would end Group C in the lead, with Mexico and Poland fighting for second place in the group.
Under the technical command of Tata Martino, Mexico arrived for this World Cup with enormous distrust from the local fans, due to the negative results in the friendlies and performance below expectations.
On the other hand, the Polish national team reached the World Cup with greater confidence after overcoming the playoffs in the European Qualifiers for the World Cup.
From the opening whistle, both teams fulfilled their pre-match expectations regarding behaviour. Mexico worked on possession of the ball, circulating through the midfield, while Poland opted for Kaminski and Zalewski in the second line, a 4-1-4-1 with open midfielders as wingers.
Without achieving considerable goalscoring chances, Mexico opted for a tactical exchange in the inversion of the flanks of Lozano and Vega. However, the Mexicans found it challenging to complete three or four consecutive passes in the final third.
Meanwhile, Poland had many players with similar characteristics on the field, especially in relation to box-to-box midfielders. That is, a non-fluid movement, blocked, without achieving tactical variations.
In the second half, the Poles returned to the field with a tactical formation different from 4-4-1-1, bothering Mexico more with real chances to score.
In the 60th minute, Robert Lewandowski had the chance to score his first goal in the World Cup after a penalty was awarded the help of VAR. But goalkeeper Ochoa shone again and prevented Poland from forwarding their victory.
In the final stretch of the match, the Mexicans did not take advantage of the moment and opted to bet on the counterattacks, but the old problem of not having well-qualified definers as alternatives to Raul Jimenez once again hindered Mexico.
The worst match of the World Cup after seven games played represented positive news for Argentina, which will secure its place in the round of 16 with two 1-0 wins against Poland and Mexico.
