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
-
POLAND RATINGS: Wojciech Szczesny, 7 – The Juventus goalkeeper saved a penalty- his second already at this World Cup - from Lionel Messi and produced a handful of other top saves. Getty -
Matty Cash, 5 – Looked far too weak to his man for the second goal and outside of that, he was dragged out of position every few minutes. Getty Images -
Kamil Glik, 6 – His desperate defending sometimes paid dividends but the veteran’s spatial awareness could use some work. AP Photo -
Jakub Kiwior, 4 – Stood watching for the first goal and had a crazy rest of the game featuring a big block off the line and a terrible back pass. AFP -
DF Bartosz Bereszynski, 4 – Played Argentina onside for the opening goal and showed an incredible lack of composure throughout. AP Photo -
Piotr Zielinski, 5 – Was left chasing shadows and was unable to really influence the overall attacking flow - of which there was precious little. AFP -
Krystian Bielik, 5 – Was dispossessed far too easily in midfield and went missing in challenges far, far too often. Getty Images -
Grzegorz Krychowiak, 5 – Picked up a silly yellow card, struggled to command respect in the middle of the park and was fairly drab. AP Photo -
Przemyslaw Frankowski, 6 – While he stands himself up well under pressure, Frankowski continually dropped off his man and left gaps. EPA -
Robert Lewandowski, 6 – The star Barcelona forward was completely boxed out of the match and was barely given a chance to shine. EPA -
Karol Swiderski, 4 – Hardly touched the ball, offered nothing in the final third. AFP -
Jakub Kaminski, 5 – His build-up play over the half-way line was solid but the lack of an end product hurt his overall game. AFP -
Damian Szymanski, 5 – Stood watching for the second goal and offered very little going forward. Reuters -
Michal Skoras, 6 – Won a nice free kick and that was really all she wrote from yet another unforgettable cameo. Getty Images -
Artur Jedrzejczyk, N/A – Did very little of note outside of a few shuffles off of the ball under Argentine pressure. AFP -
Krzysztof Piatek, N/A – An uneventful performance as he never really got on the ball upon being introduced. AFP -
ARGENTINA RATINGS: Emiliano Martinez 6 - Kept a 15th clean sheet in his past 18 Argentina games. Poland were so disappointing they didn’t have a shot on target. Getty -
Nahuel Molina 7 - Alert to cross quickly for the opening goal after he overlapped with Messi and pulled the ball back. It was the final ball they’d missed in the first half. AFP -
Cristian Romero - 7 The centre-half stepped up in front of the 44,089 crowd. Intercepted well when he needed to. AFP -
Nicolas Otamendi 7 - Comfortable against the tired Poles. Argentina had 73% of possession and complete control of the game. AFP -
Marcos Acuna 7 - Shot across the face of the goal on 28 minutes with a sweet left foot shot. Booked for a poor tackle and subbed. AFP -
Rodrigo De Paul 7 - Dominated and created chances, yet unconvincing at the same time. Fantastic tackle after 51. Far more touches than any other player. AFP -
Enzo Fernandez 8 - Debut game in the World Cup finals for the 21-year-old after he scored against Saudi Arabia. Set up the second goal down the middle. EPA -
Alexis Mac Allister 8 - Scored his first international goal to put Argentina ahead, a low strike into the corner. Worked hard, lots of running. Fine season for his club with Brighton and now for his country. AP Photo -
Angel Di Maria 7 - Effective down the right and had a couple of shots on target too in his 127th game for his country. AFP -
Lionel Messi 9 - A record 22nd World Cup appearance for Argentina. Won a soft penalty on 37 minutes which was brilliantly saved by the superb Szczesny. Six attempts on target, quick feet and excellent passing throughout, but no goals. EPA -
Julian Alvarez 7 - Looked like he’d scored after 28 minutes but his shot was blocked. A second shot by the Manchester City striker was saved on 35. Doubled the lead on 67, an excellent finish. Should have scored on 73 when he shot into side netting, but impressive. AP Photo -
SUBS: Leandro Paredes 6 - On for Di Maria after 59 mins for an easy run against the lethargic Poles. AFP -
Nicolas Tagliafico 7 - On for Acuna after 59 mins, the Lyon left-back surged forward and came close to scoring his first international goal. EPA -
German Pezzella NA - the Betis central defender came on for Fernandez after 79 mins. Getty -
Lautaro Martinez NA - On for Alvarez after 79 mins, Argentina’s other Martinez started the first two games but came off the bench for this win. Dragged an excellent shot wide after a terrible Polish back pass. EPA -
Thiago Almada NA - On for Macallister after 83 mins, the 21-year-old became the first MLS player to play for Argentina in the World Cup finals. Reuters
