Scaloni angered by 'madness' of Argentina's World Cup schedule

Manager bemoans two-day rest period between team's final group game and last-16 clash with Australia

Argentina's Julian Alvarez celebrates scoring the second goal in the 2-0 Group C win against Poland at Stadium 974 on November 30, 2022. Reuters

Argentina's Alexis Mac Allister celebrates after scoring the first goal. Getty

Argentina's Alexis Mac Allister celebrates with teammates after scoring. Getty

Alexis Mac Allister, No 20, celebrates after scoring. AP

Alexis Mac Allister of Argentina celebrates after scoring. Getty

Lionel Messi after getting fouled by Wojciech Szczesny. Getty

Poland players congratulate Wojciech Szczesny after he saved a Lionel Messi penalty. Getty

Wojciech Szczesny after saving Messi's penalty. Getty

Julian Alvarez celebrates after scoring the second goal for Argentina. Getty

Julian Alvarez celebrates with teammates. Getty

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has labelled it "madness" that only two rest days separate his side’s final World Cup group match and their last-16 game against Australia.

The South American champions booked their place in the knockout stages on Wednesday with a 2-0 victory against Poland at the 974 Stadium – a result that ensured they progressed as Group C winners.

Argentina now face Australia, runners-up in Group D, on Saturday at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan.

"I think it's absolute madness to play in nearly two days and a bit when we are top of the group. I can't understand it," Scaloni said immediately after the Poland win.

"What time is it? Nearly one o'clock in the morning... Thursday, the next day is for preparation and then we play. Those aren't good conditions. But it's the same for everyone. We're first in the group. We could have had more rest."

Argentina, two-time world champions, have done well to respond from their shock opening-day defeat to Saudi Arabia. Having been beaten 2-1 by the Gulf nation in one of the greatest upsets in tournament history, they saw off Mexico and Poland, both by a 2-0 scoreline.

However, Scaloni warned his side to be wary of Australia, who proved their mettle in coming back from a heavy defeat to France in their opener by registering hard-fought victories against Tunisia and Denmark. Graham Arnold’s men took on Denmark a few hours earlier than Argentina, winning 1-0, to advance to the knockouts.

Scaloni said: "Our fans should enjoy this. We are happy today, but we don't want to be euphoric. All the games are hard. We saw that with Saudi Arabia. Anyone who thinks the match against Australia will be easy is wrong.

“We're not favourites. If you think that just because we won today, we are going to become World Cup winners, you're wrong."

Poland 0-2 Argentina ratings