Argentina safely into World Cup second round
Lionel Messi had a penalty saved but Argentina still beat Poland, 2-0, Wednesday in Doha, Qatar, after second-half goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez and advanced to the last 16.
After opening the World Cup with a shocking 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in one of biggest upsets in the tournament’s history, Argentina wound up finishing in first place in Group C and will next play Australia — a surprise qualifier for the knockout stage.
Messi rolls into Saturday’s game suddenly in a strong position in likely his final World Cup.
“Now another World Cup begins.” Messi said.
More World Cup
Mathew Leckie scored and Australia beat Denmark, 1-0, in Al Wakrah, Qatar, to advance to the round of 16 at the World Cup for only the second time and first since 2006.
• Mexico defeated Saudi Arabia, 2-1, in Lusail, Qatar, but it wasn’t enough. Because of Argentina’s victory against Poland in a simultaneous match, Mexico failed to advance out of its group for the first time since 1978.
• Tunisia defeated defending champion France, 1-0, in a Group D match as Wahbi Khazri scored in the 58th minute, but it still was eliminated when Australia defeated Denmark.
• U.S. forward Christian Pulisic is listed as day-to-day after sustaining a pelvic injury Tuesday while scoring the United States’ only goal in a 1-0 win vs. Iran that
advanced the U.S. to the knockout stage beginning Saturday.
Colleges
West Virginia named North Texas athletic director Wren Baker to the same position. Baker replaces Shane Lyons, who was fired earlier this month. He was given a six-year contract that will pay him $1.1 million annually, plus incentives, the university said in a statement. Baker will start on Dec. 19. Among Baker’s first moves: The retention of football coach Neal Brown, at least for the time being.
College football
A day after being named All-ACC first team, Pitt defensive lineman Kalijah Kancey was named ACC defensive player of the year. He is only the second Pitt player to earn the award, joining Aaron Donald. Kancey is also a finalist for the Bronko Nagursku Award, presented to the nation’s best interior lineman.
• UAB hired former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer as its next head coach. Dilfer, 50, won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens in 2000 during a 14-year NFL career. He’s making a big leap to the college ranks after coaching Lipscomb Academy in Nashville, Tenn.
• Florida backup quarterback Jalen Kitna, the son of retired NFL quarterback Jon Kitna, was arrested and charged with two counts of distribution of child exploitation material and three counts of possession of child pornography.
• Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton was named Big Ten freshman of the year after rushing for 941 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns.
Baseball
Eightdays after claiming himoff waivers from the Marlins, the Pirates designated LewinDiaz for assignment to makeroom for Carlos Santana. While a solid defensive first baseman, Diaz has hit just .181in 112 major league games.
• Don Mattingly, who left his job as Miami Marlins manager at the end of last season, is joining Toronto’s staff as bench coach to manager John Schneider.