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.
