Argentina 2-1 Australia: Argentina through to knockouts after win against an ambitious Australia
Argentina have made it through to the knock-out stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup after beating Australia 2-1 at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on the first day of the round of 16 on Saturday.
While the ambitions of the Socceroos were not disappointing with Craig Goodwin’s shot taking a deflection off Enzo Fernandez to equalise in the second half, goals by Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez ensured that the Argentinians will see the next stage of the tournament.
After Argentina’s shock opening loss to Saudi Arabia and the Socceroos’ surprise victory over Denmark in midweek, both teams had a strong point to prove.
The only previous World Cup meeting between these sides was an intercontinental playoff in 1993, seeing the likes of Diego Maradona face off against Socceroo head coach Graham Arnold.
Both managers made changes, with Papu Gomez replacing Angel Di Maria for Argentina, and St Mirren’s Keanu Baccus making his full international debut, replacing Craig Goodwin for Australia.
The match started with little action, with a lacklustre performance from Argentina. A poor touch from Messi allowed Australia to break for a goal, but it was soon snuffed out as the Socceroos struggled to keep the ball.
The game quickly re-ignited in the 34th minute after Messi, who played the 1 000th game of his career, saw Argentina take the lead 1-0 with a magnificent shot from the top of the box.
This was Messi’s ninth World Cup goal, putting him one away from Gabriel Batistuta’s Argentina record, and goal 789th of his career.
Milos Degenek was booked for a foul on Marcos Acuna before the half ended.
The action-packed second half started with Lisandro Martinez replacing Papu Gomez and a switch to a 3-5-2 formation for Argentina.
Alvarez scored Argentina’s second goal in the 56th minute after Socceroo keeper Mathew Ryan received a backpass from Kye Rowles that was immediately challenged by Rodrigo De Paul.
Australia had a double substitution minutes later with Craig Goodwin and Ajdin Hrustic replacing Keanu Baccus and Riley McGree. Then, in the 71st minute, a triple substitution with Jamie Maclaren, Fran Karcic and Garang Kuol replacing Milos Degenek, Mitchell Duke and Mathew Leckie.
With 13 minutes to go, the Socceroos finally caught a break with Aziz Behich’s cross reaching Goodwin from long range and a powerful shot taking a huge deflection off Fernandez to hit the back of the net.
Argentina’s Gonzalo Montiel and Exequiel Palacios replaced Naheul Molina and Alexis Mac Allister moments later.
After a long spell of possession from Argentina in the last minutes of normal time, Lautaro Martinez and Messi missed golden opportunities to further the lead.
In the last kick of the game, Garang Kuol was heartbreakingly denied a golden opportunity to see the Socceroos level the playing field with a glorious save by Emiliano Martínez.
Australia gave it their all, and while they can be proud of their efforts, Argentina move on to the next stage.
