After England thumped Iran, the Netherlands edged past Senegal, and the US drew Wales on Monday, we head into the third day of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Tuesday when superstar trio Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Robert Lewandowski enter the fray. Messi’s Argentina kick things off in Group C against Saudi Arabia in Lusail before dark horses Denmark and Tunisia launch Group D in Al Rayyan. Mexico and Lewandowski’s Poland in Group C are next up in Doha before Mbappe and defending champions France take on Australia in Al Wakrah. La Albiceleste and Les Bleus are strong favorites to make winning starts as are the Danes, but things are expected to be trickier for the Polish on the first day with four fixtures. Let us take a look at how the CBS Sports staff sees things going…
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Group C: Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 22 | Time: 5 a.m. ET | Location: Lusail Iconic Stadium — Lusail, Qatar
TV: FS1 and Telemundo | Live stream: fuboTV (try for free)
What to realize: This is expected to be Messi’s last World Cup appearance and even supposing you’ll never say never, 2026 is some distance absent by which time the Paris Saint-Germain superstar would be almost 40. Argentina are favorites for plenty of and fancied to safe the title which Messi and his teammates have coveted for years now. Two-time winners, La Albiceleste have not triumphed since 1986 and are expected to ease through in Group C. Herve Renard’s Saudi Arabia are something of an unknown quantity but the Green Falcons are unlikely to supply a shock here.
Craving more World Cup coverage? Listen below and follow House of Champions, a day by day CBS Sports soccer podcast, bringing you top-notch analysis, statement, picks and more throughout the big games in Qatar.
Group D: Denmark vs. Tunisia
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 22 | Time: 8 a.m. ET | Location: Education City Stadium — Al Rayyan, Qatar
TV: FS1 and Telemundo | Live stream: fuboTV (try for free)
What to realize: The Danes are fancied to go deep once more after their UEFA Euro 2020 semifinal appearance, and plenty of see them beating France to top spot in Group D. To take action, they are going to want to get maximum points against both Tunisia and Australia. The Eagles of Carthage are their first opponents so a fast start is vital for Kasper Hjulmand’s side with Les Bleus expected to see off the Socceroos.
Group C: Mexico vs. Poland
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 22 | Time: 11 a.m. ET | Location: Stadium 974 — Doha, Qatar
TV: FOX and Telemundo | Live stream: fuboTV (try for free)
What to realize: Argentina are strongly favored to top Group C, but second spot is more open with Mexico and Poland both taking a look to safe the other knockout phase berth. The Poles boast Lewandowski in attack but steadily fall short at international level while El Tri will not be in their best moment at the moment but typically show up for big tournaments. Despite being the first game for both, this could go a long way to deciding who makes it through.
Group D: France vs. Australia
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 22 | Time: 2 p.m. ET | Location: Al Janoub Stadium — Al Wakrah, Qatar
TV: FOX and Telemundo | Live stream: fuboTV (try for free)
What to realize: Mbappe and the dressing are the headliners of the day as they get their World Cup title defense underway against the same team that they started their successful 2018 crusade against in Russia. It used to be a narrow 2-1 win for Les Bleus in Kazan and the Aussies are arguably weaker now than they were four years ago. Didier Deschamps needs his team to receive over the loss of Karim Benzema through injury and hit the ground running. Anything other than a win puts France in a tricky position as they are going to face Denmark next.