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Day 11 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup saw dramatic conclusions to Group C and Group D with ever-changing permutations. Mathew Leckie sent Australia through to the knockouts with a 1-0 win over Denmark, while France managed to top the group despite losing 0-1 to Tunisia. Argentina defeated Poland 2-0 despite Lionel Messi missing a penalty, and Mexico's incredible efforts were in vain as they beat Saudi Arabia 2-1. By The Numbers has the best stats from the four World Cup matches played on Wednesday:
Australia 1-0 Denmark1 Australia became the first country in World Cup history to advance to multiple knockout stage rounds under different confederations. (They advanced to the Ro16 in 2006 playing under the Oceania confederation) 24 Australia's goalkeeper Mat Ryan completed the most passes for the team in the entire game vs Denmark (24). 2 This was Australia's second-ever win against European opposition at the World Cup. They record stands 2-8-2 (W-L-D) vs UEFA opponents in World Cup, with their only other win coming in the 2010 Group Stage vs Serbia (2-1). 2 With Australia's qualification, there 3 AFC representatives still in with a chance to advance to the Round of 16. In the history of the World Cup, only in 2002 and 2010 did multiple AFC teams make it to the knockout stage. 2 Before the 2022 World Cup, Australia had only kept one clean sheet at the World Cup - a 0-0 draw in the 1974 Group Stage vs Chile. They now have two clean sheets in the 2022 tournament. 12 Harry Souttar leads all players at the 2022 World Cup in headed-clearances with 12. Not much of a surprise, given the Scottish-born Souttar stands 6ft 6in (1.98m) tall
Tunisia 1-0 France3 France have lost thrice to CAF teams in their entire history. This is the most of any nation in World Cup history. 11 Tunisia recorded their first ever win over a European nation at the World Cup, ending the longest streak of games without a win (0-7-4 W-L-D) against UEFA opponents in the competition's history. This was also the first time Tunisia won a World Cup match after scoring first (lost once, and drew twice before). 1 Wahbi Khazri is the first African player in World Cup history to score in three consecutive starts, while he has been directly involved in each of Tunisia's last five goals at the tournament (3 goals, 2 assists). He is also tied for fourth-most goals by an African (CAF) player in World Cup history. 13 France had not lost a match in a major tournament (World Cups and Euros) since the Euro 2016 final against Portugal (0-1 in extra time), ending a run of 13 games without a loss (W9 D4).
Saudi Arabia 1-2 Mexico8 This is the eighth World Cup that Mexico have been knocked out in at the group stage mark - tying Scotland and South Korea for the most group stage eliminations in World Cup history. 430 Henry Martin's goal for Mexico ended a spell of 430 minutes Mexico had gone without scoring at the World Cup. 1 Luis Chávez's goal was the first direct free kick goal by Mexico in World Cups since at least 1966 (47 attempts in that span). It was also Chavez's first for Mexico in 12 appearances and the furthest shot distance (34.9 yards) for a Mexican goal at a World Cup since at least 1966. 11 Mexico finished with 11 shots on target, their most in a World Cup game since at least 1966. They attempted 26 shots in total, which is Mexico's third most in a World Cup game since 1966.
Poland 0-2 Argentina3 Wojciech Szczesny became the third goalkeeper to save 2 penalties in a single World Cup after Brad Friedel in 2002 for the USA and Poland's Jan Tomaszewski in 1974. 999 Lionel Messi didn't have the best of nights, missing a penalty but also reminding us of his essence with a solo run midway through the game. It was his 999th senior career game (club and country) and a record 22nd appearance for Argentina at a World Cup, overtaking Diego Maradona. Messi is fourth in the all-time World Cup appearances list, behind Paolo Maldini of Italy (23), Miroslav Klose (24) and Lothar Matthäus (25) of Germany. 0 Lionel Messi has never been eliminated in any group stage - not with his club nor country. 1 Poland advanced to their first knockout stage appearance since 1986 - they had been eliminated in the group stage in their last three FIFA WC appearances. 4 Argentina's never-say-die attitude was exemplified by this being the fourth time they made the knockouts after losing the first group stage game - the most of any country in World Cup history. They have advanced past the group stage in 13 of their last 14 FIFA World Cup appearances, with 2002 being the exception. (Stats courtesy: ESPN Stats and Information Group)
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