Lionel Messi's last chance to win the World Cup is still alive after Argentina won 2-1 in the first knockout game against Australia to set up a quarterfinal date with the Netherlands Friday at 2 p.m. ET. Lionel Scaloni's team won with a convincing performance against the Socceroos, despite some late wobbles against one of the surprises of the tournament so far. The start of the match wasn't as easy might have been expected. Argentina and Australia were both defensive and careful to not concede the opening goal. It was Leo Messi's magic left foot that was needed to open the scoring in such a game and that happened after thirty-five minutes as the Argentinian star scored with the first shot of the game.
Incredibly enough, that was Leo Messi's first goal during a World Cup knockout game, in the 1000th match of his career. With this goal, his ninth in the World Cup overall, he surpassed Diego Maradona's eight as the top scorer for Argentina at the World Cup and is only behind Gabriel Batistuta (10). The second half started with an unexpected change a few minutes after the game restarted with Argentina's coach Scaloni replacing striker Alejandro 'Papu' Gomez with defender Lisandro Martinez. Argentina started to play with a three-back defense and definitely played better soccer in the second half creating way more chances.
It was Julian Alvarez who scored the second goal of the match after the incredible mistake of the Australian goalkeeper Mathew Ryan who lost the ball possession thanks to the pressing of both Rodrigo de Paul and Julian Alvarez. The Manchester City striker scored his second goal of the competition. Australia managed to be back in the last minutes of the match with the goal of Craig Goodwin (his shot was deflected by Enzo Fernandez and later officially ruled an own goal) but that wasn't enough as Argentina were able to keep the advantage and win to advance from the round of 16. The Albiceleste will be back on Friday and will play against the Netherlands to get a spot in the top four of the 2022 World Cup. Messi's dream is more alive than ever.
It's 2-1 at the end as Leo Messi's team managed to keep the advantage in the last minutes of the game and will play in the quarter finals against Netherlands next Friday at 2 p.m.
The Socceroos scored their first goal of the game with Craig Goodwin's shot from outside the box. However, the attempt was deflected by Enzo Fernandez and Martinez couldn't do much here.
Looks like Argentina is now in full control of the game after scoring the second goal and went close to the third with both Messi and Alvarez once again.
Julian Alvarez scored the second goal of the match: it's 2-0 now! Huge mistake by the Australian goalkeeper Mathew Ryan who lost the ball thanks to the pressing of both Rodrigo de Paul and Julian Alvarez. The Manchester City's striker takes the ball and scores his second goal of the competition. Argentina getting closer to the quarter finals now.
Argentina's first substitution of the game: Alejandro 'Papu' Gomez comes off with Lisandro Martinez replacing him. Argentina will now play with a three-line back defence and Nahuel Molina will play as winger.
The game has restarted with no changes in the teams.
It wasn't the best half of soccer we've seen so far in the tournament until Leo Messi decided to change the history of the game and scored a stunning opening goal that put Argentina close to qualify for the next round. However, we shouldn't underestimate Australia for what they've done so far. The second half will be very tense here.
Lionel Messi scored his 94th goal with the Argentina's jersey, his ninth at the World Cup, the first one scored in the knockout stage of the competition.
Lionel Messi scored the opening goal of the match! What a goal! The Argentinian striker scored his first goal in a World Cup knockout game, in the 1000th match of his career. What a moment for Argentina. First shot on target of the game, first goal. Lionel Messi (9 goals scored) surpasses Diego Maradona (8) as the top scorer for Argentina at the World Cup and is only behind Gabriel Batistuta (10).
Once again, another incredible number for Lionel Messi has he's playing his 1000th game in his career.
Not the best game we've seen so far in this tournament. Looks like the two sides are very worried about their defense until now. Hopefully we will have more to write about later.
The opening 15 minutes of this Round of 16 showed a pretty slow start from both teams with no chances yet to score the opening goal of the game. Argentina are in control of the game so far and are keeping much more the ball (79%).
And we're underway at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium: the match between Argentina and Australia has started.
Messi leads the line for Argentina. The 35-year-old Paris Saint-Germain talisman has contributed two goals and an assist in 270 minutes of football. One of those goals came from open play and the other was a penalty. Messi has taken 13 shots, hitting the target with eight of them (61.54%), and completed eight of 14 take-ons. He's also created nine chances for his teammates. The question for this team will be who helps him in attack with Angel Di Maria expected to miss out.
Australia can't quite live with Argentina in attack. They just don't have the same attacking ability and come second-best in virtually every attacking metric - registering fewer shots on target (seven to 20), creating fewer chances (15 to 32), completing fewer take-ons (nine to 22) and, most crucially, scoring fewer goals (three to five). They need a very concrete defensive game if they want to have chances against Argentina's strikers on Saturday.
Lionel Scaloni decided to bench again striker Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez will start the match against Australia. Alejandro 'Papu' Gomez will also start alongside Lionel Messi in the attacking three line with Angel Di Maria out injured.
Argentina XI: Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna; De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Mac Allister; Gomez, Messi, Alvarez.
Australia XI: Ryan, Degenek, Rowles, Souttar, Behich, Baccus, Mooy, Irvine, Leckie, Duke, McGree.
Good afternoon and welcome from Francesco Porzio to Argentina-Australia. Leo Messi's ambition to win his first World Cup faces a crucial meeting today with Argentina playing against Australia. Socceroos managed to qualify after beating both Tunisia and Denmark in the group stage and will play in the Round of 16 for the first time since 2006, when Australia lost against Italy. The winner of this clash will face Netherlands next Friday at 2 p.m.
