TheCable

Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez goals in the second half were all Argentina needed to secure their last-16 place with a 2-0 victory over Poland.

Here are four major talking points from Day 11.

VAR-assisted Tunisia bow out with a bang

Tunisia benefitted from a late VAR call to record a 1-0 win over France at the World Cup, although the result was not good enough to secure a place in the last 16.

A goal from Wahbi Khazri had put Tunisia in front, and it appeared that they had been denied a famous win by a 98th-minute equaliser from Antoine Griezmann.

Griezmann’s goal was however cancelled after he was adjudged to be in an offside position.

The Carthage Eagles won the game but still crashed out of the tournament with their heads high.

Determined Australia goes through for the second time in their history

Australia’s 1-0 victory over Denmark saw them advance to the last-16 stage of the World Cup alongside the holders France.

Mathew Leckie scored the only goal of the contest in the 60th minute.

Australia advanced to the round of 16 for just the second time in their history, while Denmark have been eliminated in the group stage of a World Cup for just the second time.

Poland, the history makers

For the first time in 36 years, Poland reached the knockout phase of the World Cup despite a 2-0 loss against Argentina.

Poland entered the match against Argentina with four points while Mexico had just one.

After Mexico defeated Saudi Arabia, Poland and Mexico were level on points, goals scored, conceded, and goal difference.

Mexico were expected to crash out of the tournament on Fifa’s fair play rule having received seven yellow cards to Poland’s five.

But a Saudi Arabia goal in stoppage time changed everything, as Mexico were eliminated based on goal difference — despite winning 2-1 against Saudi Arabia.

Effective Argentina

There was a certain aura in Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Poland. They attacked in numbers and showed why three points were essential.

Alexis Mac Allister scored the opening goal of the game after Wojciech Szczesny denied Lionel Messi from the penalty spot with a brilliant save. Julian Alvarez added the second to ensure that the Scaloni’s boys sailed through to the round of 16.