Get a report of the Argentina vs. Australia 2022 FIFA World Cup, Round of 16 football match.
Lionel Messi spearheaded Argentina’s charge to the World Cup quarterfinals by helping to secure a 2-1 victory against Australia on Saturday.
In his 1,000th career match, Messi scored the opening goal with a sublime effort before Julian Alvarez scored in the second half to set up a quarterfinal tie against the Netherlands and knock Australia out of the tournament, as the Socceroos were unable to build upon their fortuitous late goal.
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« I am very happy for taking another step forward, achieving another objective, » Messi said. « It was a very strong and difficult match — we knew it was going to be this way.
« We didn’t have much time to rest up and we were concerned as we knew it was going to be a physical match and they were very strong. Luckily we found the goal and we were one goal ahead, and then two goals ahead.
« And then we had a setback with the goal — but that’s the World Cup for you, the matches are difficult and we got the win. »
Despite Argentina’s firepower, Australia managed to limit the early proceedings, keeping them uneventful with neither side exerting any dominance.
