Argentina set up an enticing-looking World Cup 2022 quarter-final with the Netherlands as Lionel Messi – making his 1,000th career appearance – inspired them to a 2-1 win over over Australia in the last 16.
With the shock of their tournament-opening 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia well behind them, Argentina entered this encounter as heavy favourites.
And while Lionel Scaloni's team didn't have it all their own way against a well-organised Australian unit, they ultimately advanced to the last eight without too many problems.
Goals from Messi – his third of the tournament, the 789th of his career, and his eighth in World Cups (taking him past Diego Maradona) – and Julian Alvarez – who was gifted his chance by Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan – either side of half time put Argentina into a comfortable 2-0 lead.
🗣️ "Messiiiiii! It had to be him!"How many times have we seen that? 🔥 789. We've seen it 789 times.#BBCWorldCup #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/EgGFBWUyUDDecember 3, 2022
Or so it seemed... Australia were always likely to need a fair slice of luck to stand any chance here – and they got it with 13 minutes to go as Craig Goodwin's speculative long-range shot went in off Enzo Fernandez for an own goal.
Newcastle-bound substitute Garang Kuol had a great chance to equalise with virtually the last kick of the game, but Emi Martinez was alert to thwart the last attack from the spirited underdogs.
After getting off to a nightmare start in Qatar, Argentina are through to the last eight for the third time in the last four World Cups – and the romantics' dream of Messi getting his hands on football's ultimate prize for the first time at his final World Cup remains alive.
