Argentina 2-1 Australia: Lionel Messi scores the opener in his 1000th game and enters the quarter finals in World Cup
Argentina defeated Australia 2-1 to go to the World Cup quarterfinals, with Lionel Messi scoring the opemer on his 1,000th senior appearance.
Near the conclusion of the first half, Messi delivered the game’s first standout performance to break the score, and early in the second half, Julian Alvarez capitalised on a goalkeeping error to give Argentina, the two-time defending world champions, complete control.
At the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Australia fought to the bitter end, ensuring a tense conclusion when Craig Goodwin’s deflected shot cut the deficit.
A brilliant last-ditch tackle by Argentina’s Lisandro Martinez prevented Australia’s Aziz Behich from scoring what would have been an incredible equaliser in the 80th minute.
Now awaits a Friday matchup with the Netherlands in the round of 16
Argentina won Group C after bouncing back from a shocking 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in their opening encounter of the competition.
Argentina fans outnumbered Australia supporters significantly as an anticipated cagey opening took place.
Argentina was obliged to play patiently and cautiously due to the Socceroos’ well-rehearsed lineup, and it wasn’t until the 17th minute that the South Americans made their first danger.
Alejandro Gomez was the target of a Messi pass on the left, but the winger missed his attempt by a wide margin.
In the first half hour, there was minimal goalmouth action, but Australia looked comfortable in possession and won the game’s first two corners.
But in the 35th minute, Messi added some much-needed dynamism by passing to Nicolas Otamendi on the brink of the penalty and slamming home into the bottom corner from the side.
The greatest of all time 🐐🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/erRz3FBBfy
— Lionel𓃵🇧🇩 (@Nishat57225900) December 3, 2022
Twitter Went Wild
Fans react on Messi in his 1000th Game.
It was his 94th goal in 169 senior appearances for his country, his 789th goal overall, and his first goal in the World Cup knockout rounds.
Messi stumbled just as he appeared to be on his way to scoring his second.
After giving up an unfortunate goal in the 57th minute, Australia was left with a steep mountain to climb.
Manchester City attacker Alvarez snuck in to slam home his second goal of the competition after goalkeeper Mat Ryan botched a backpass.
Argentina was content to hold possession of the ball, but after substitute Nicolas Tagliafico missed with his shot, Australia unexpectedly cut the score with a deflected goal.
When Goodwin attempted to take a shot from outside the box, it hit Enzo Fernandez and went into the bottom corner.
When Dundee United’s Behich manoeuvred past four defenders and into the box in the 80th minute, Australia came dangerously close to scoring a magnificent equaliser, but Manchester United center-half Martinez’s flying tackle stopped him.
Martinez, who had two attempts miss the mark and one brilliantly stopped, came close to giving Argentina their two-goal advantage back.
But when Australia’s young substitute Garang Kuol forced Argentina’s heroic fans to hold their breath in the final seconds of extra time, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a critical stop.
