Argentina World Cup fixtures 2022: Complete schedule, match kickoff times, dates for all games in Qatar

Stephen Creek

Argentina World Cup fixtures 2022: Complete schedule, match kickoff times, dates for all games in Qatar image

Argentina finally achieved glory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, as talismanic forward Lionel Messi signed off in style in what will be his final appearance in the tournament.

A runners-up medal in 2014 is was as close as Messi had come to lifting the World Cup, but in Qatar the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner crowned his career with the greatest achievement of them all after a penalty shootout win over France in the final.

Here's the route they took to glory.

MORE: Argentina World Cup squad 2022: All 26 players for national team in Qatar

Argentina 2022 World Cup schedule

Argentina's opening World Cup match against Saudi Arabia in Lusail saw Group C's top seeds meet its underdogs.

Scaloni's men were expected to get off to a winning start before their eye-catching clash with Mexico four days later, but things fell apart.

Having gone ahead via a Messi penalty, a double from Saudi Arabia duo Saleh Al-Sherhi and Salem Al-Dawsari stunned them, and left their initial hopes in tatters.

But they were back on track against Mexico on November 26. Messi and Enzo Fernandez scored two stunning goals to give the Albiceleste a 2-0 win that breathed life back into their chances of advancing to the Round of 16.

Next up was Poland, ranked 26th in the FIFA world rankings, who threatened to upset Argentina's campaign in the group decider on November 30. But second-half goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Alvarez saw them through as group winners.

Australia awaited next up for Argentina in the Round of 16 on December 3, and although there was a nervy finale, Messi and Co. got the job done 2-1, courtesy of some more magic from their talisman.

That booked a last-eight meeting with Netherlands on December 9, who came from 2-0 down to force their game to penalties. Argentina managed to triumph 4-3 on penalties.

Croatia, in theory, presented arguably their sternest test in the semifinals, but Argentina were simply rampant. Alvarez scored twice after Messi had broken the deadlock from the penalty spot, as they booked their date with destiny and France on December 18 in the final.

And what a final it was. In one of the best games ever seen at a World Cup, Messi gave Argentina the lead from the penalty spot before Angel Di Maria added a second. But a quickfire double from Kylian Mbappe levelled things up and sent the game to extra time.

Messi again looked to have won it when he scored his second, only for Mbappe's second penalty of the match, as he completed his hat-trick, to send the game to penalties.

In the shootout, both the superstars scored, but it was Argentina who held their nerve best — winning 4-2.

Group C match schedule and results

Date Match Time (ET) Stadium
Tue, Nov. 22 Argentina 1 Saudi Arabia 2 5:00 a.m. Lusail Stadium
Sat, Nov. 26 Argentina 2 Mexico 0 2:00 p.m. Lusail Stadium
Weds, Nov. 30 Argentina 2 Poland 0 2:00 p.m. Stadium 974

Potential knockout round schedule, as Argentina finished 1st in Group C

Date Stage Match Stadium
Sat, Dec. 3 Round of 16 Argentina 2 Australia 1 Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
Fri, Dec. 9 Quarterfinals Netherlands 2 Argentina 2
(pens 3-4, aet)
Lusail Stadium
Tue, Dec. 13 Semifinals Argentina 3 Croatia 0 Lusail Stadium
Sun, Dec. 18 Final Argentina 3 France 3 (4-2 pens, aet)  Lusail Stadium

Argentina World Cup group: Group C

Argentina were drawn as top seeds in Group C alongside Mexico, Poland and Saudi Arabia. As a Pot 1 team, Argentina were viewed as the most likely side to qualify from the group. However, Mexico and Poland were seeking to take advantage of the pressure and expectation weighing on Argentina in what was Messi's last World Cup.

Argentina had only failed to get beyond the group stage once since they won the World Cup in 1986, and were twice been beaten finalists in that time.

World Cup Group C betting odds

The pre-tournament betting odds for Argentina and other Group C sides in the major global territories are below (odds via BetMGM for U.S., Sky Bet for U.K., Sports Interaction for Canada and Ladbrokes for Australia).

Team To win group
Argentina -250 (US) 4/11 (UK) 1.39 (CAN) 1.40 (AU) 
Mexico +450 (US) 9/2 (UK) 5.73 (CAN) 6.00 (AU)
Poland +500 (US) 11/2 (UK) 5.64 (CAN) 6.00 (AU)
Saudi Arabia +1800 (US) 28/1 (UK) 22.00 (CAN) 26.00 (AU)

Team To qualify
Argentina  -1600 (US) 1/16 (UK) 1.07 (CAN) 1.06 (AU)
Mexico -118 (US) 5/6 (UK) 1.92 (CAN) 1.91 (AU)
Poland -111 (US) 1/1 (UK) 1.92 (CAN) 1.91 (AU)
Saudi Arabia +650 (US) 7/1 (UK) 6.13 (CAN) 7.00 (AU)

Team  To win World Cup
Argentina +500 (US) 11/2 (UK) 4.30 (CAN) 6.50 (AU)
Mexico +10000 (US) 100/1 (UK) 90.00 (CAN) 101 (AU)
Poland +10000 (US) 100/1 (UK) 90.60 (CAN) 101 (AU)
Saudi Arabia +60000 (US) 750/1 (UK) 450.00 (CAN) 501 (AU)

World Cup Group C standings

Team PTS GP W L D GF GA GD
C1: Argentina Q 6 3 2 1 0 5 3 +2
C2: Poland Q 4 3 1 1 1 2 2 0
C3: Mexico 4 3 1 1 1 2 3 -1
C4: Saudi Arabia 3 3 1 2 0 3 5 -2

Stephen Creek

Stephen Creek Photo

Stephen joined The Sporting News in 2022, having previously provided football news and match coverage for Stats Perform and The Press Association. He’s supported Leeds United for over 30 years and no, he’s still not over Bielsa.