The results that will see Lionel Messi and Argentina knocked out of the World Cup

It's fair to say it's been a mixed World Cup for Lionel Messi and Argentina.

After a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in Round 1, the two-time winners bounced back with a solid 2-0 win against Mexico last week.

These results have left Argentina in second place in Group C, with their fate still in the balance as they head into tonight's match against the group's leaders Poland.

A win for Messi's men in Doha would see them leapfrog their opponents and secure their ticket for the round of 16.

However, that win might not be enough to secure them top spot in Group C.

That's because Saudi Arabia still have a chance of being crowned as group winners too.

Victory for Hervé Renard's side would also move them to six points, meaning goal difference would determine who makes it through as the kings of Group C.

Anything less than a win for Argentina will make things incredibly nervy in that corner of South America. A draw between The White and Sky Blue and Poland means all eyes are on Saudi Arabia against Mexico - a Saudi Arabian win would put Argentina out while a draw would put the latter through.

A Mexico win would mean we're in goal difference territory once again.

Lionel Messi celebrates after Argentina beat Mexico. Image: Alamy

As you might have guessed by now, a defeat against the Robert Lewandowski-led Poles will see Argentina crash out at the group stage for the first time since the 2002 tournament in South Korea and Japan - and could possibly spell an end to Lionel Messi's chances of adding the Jules Rimet to his trophy cabinet.

"Obviously after a victory against Mexico, we are feeling better emotionally," Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni said in his pre-match press conference, as quoted by PlanetSport.

"We are on the right path now.

"Have we recovered our identity after the (Messi) goal? It depends on how you see it, because then we had to defend the result, whatever it took. That's football. It's tough.

Argentina players celebrate their win over Mexico. Image: Alamy

"We had a couple of chances after the goal to get a bigger result, at the end of the match we managed to do that, and that's what counts.

"That's our identity - we fight for every single ball and try to be strong."

The match gets underway at 7pm (GMT) tonight, with both games kicking off at the same time as Messi and Argentina look to avoid falling at the first hurdle.

James Aldred