It's impossible to underestimate the impact of Lionel Messi for Argentina.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner had notched 13 goals and 15 assists in his last 20 appearances for the South American behemoth before the do-or-die showdown with Poland. La Albiceleste have become used to seeing the world's finest football maestro drive them to dreamland when things go their way and overcome obstacles when the going gets tough.

But not this time.

Messi bewitched his adoring public on Wednesday night with the scintillating solo runs, ingenious defense-splitting passes and dazzling vision on the pitch, yet he was unable to find a way past Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. 

Even when Messi won a controversial penalty after Wojciech Szczesny was adjudged to have fouled the Paris Saint-Germain talisman by the video assistant referee, the usually reliable Argentina captain fluffed his lines from the spot. For the second time in the Qatar World Cup, Szczesny displayed admirable composure between the sticks to save a poorly taken penalty.

According to stats provider Opta, Messi has now missed four penalties in his international career, taking his combined tally for club and country to a stunning 31. Messi also set an undesirable record as he became the first player in history to have two penalties saved in the World Cup.

This could have been an insufferable nightmare for Messi if his missed penalty ends up crushing Argentina's long-awaited World Cup dreams. For once, fortunately, when Messi could not make the difference, his teammates raised their game and stepped into the breach.

Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister settled Argentina's nerves when he lashed home Nahuel Molina's cross just a minute after the interval. Then Manchester City star Julian Alvarez sealed victory as he met Enzo Fernandez's pass before firing the ball into the roof of the net.

"I was so happy," Mac Allister told reporters afterwards. "It was so emotional for me and the whole squad. I think we're back to being the team we used to be. We controlled the ball more, we were calm and we didn't get desperate."

The 2-0 win means Argentina advanced to the knockout stages as Group C winners and have a last-16 match-up with Australia to look forward to despite another poor start at the World Cup.

"I'm angry for having missed the penalty, but the team came out stronger after my mistake," observed Messi, who carries most of the burden but usually makes light of it. "We knew that once the first goal went in, it would change the game and they would open up... The previous game gave us a lot of peace of mind and we went out onto the field thinking we had to win."

When asked about his team's chances in the next round, Messi said, "The match against Australia is going to be very difficult. Anyone beats anyone, everything is very even. We have to prepare the game in the best way as we always do.We must be calm and go game by game. Now another World Cup begins and hopefully we can continue to maintain what we did today."

In sharp contrast, Poland could consider themselves fortunate to sneak into the last 16 for the first time since 1986. Czeslaw Michniewicz's side went through on goal difference having finished level on points with Mexico, who only beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in the group's other game.

"We lost the game, it is very important but sometimes those defeats are bittersweet - or bitter and sweet - this was our case, we lost but we went through," Michniewicz told a press conference. "After many, many years we went through to the next stage, I would like to congratulate my whole team and staff."

"It was not a match for a striker but I knew it would be like this," added Poland superstar Robert Lewandowski, who was a shadow of his former self and never got into the game. "For me, for the Poland team, given the possibilities we have, it was a success.

"No-one will remember what this match was like — we will just be getting ready for France."

Earlier in the day, Australia stormed into the knockout stages for for just the second time in their history after upsetting Denmark, who were tipped as one of the potential 'dark horses' ahead of the World Cup after their impressive run to the semifinals of Euro 2020.

Mathew Leckie's wonder strike dashed the hopes of the Danes, who have now failed to earn a victory in any of their past six games at the World Cup.

"The belief within our group is massive, I think we've shown that. We've just beaten Denmark, a world-class opponent," beamed Australia striker Mitchell Duke. "I could play another match right now with all the adrenaline. Bring on whoever. I feel like we could take on anyone right now."

Elsewhere, Tunisia clinched their first ever World Cup win against European opposition after stunning defending champions France 1-0 at Education City Stadium, but the shock result failed to prevent them from suffering an early exit.

"We were superb today and I think the result is down to us," said Tunisia captain Wahbi Khazri, who scored the only goal of the game. "Unfortunately in football it is better not to have to rely on others for results, but we can go out with our heads held high."