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Lionel Messi scored in his landmark 1,000th game as Argentina survived a late scare to beat Australia 2-1 and book a quarter-final date with the Netherlands.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward netted a 789th senior goal in the first half at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium to keep alive his chances of winning the major trophy that has so far eluded him in his likely final World Cup.
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That 35th-minute opener broke Australia’s promising resistance, but Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez struck what proved the decisive goal (57) after an own-goal halved the deficit late on as Australia threatened an unlikely comeback.
Socceroos boss Graham Arnold had vowed his players would be “in Argentina faces” and they made a high-pressing start before settling into a defensive shape that left Messi struggling to get on the ball.
But the milestone man made a rare touch count when he latched onto a give-and-go in the area and curled into the bottom corner.
Australia, who had shocked Denmark on their way to a first last-16 tie since 2006, had barely been troubled in a half during which both sides recorded a combined xG of just 0.15.
But they struggled to make an impact higher up the pitch and were then punished for trying to play out from the back, Mat Ryan caught out under Rodrigo De Paul pressure and Alvarez rolling into an empty net.
Argentina looked on course for a routine victory but Australia improbably rallied, Craig Goodwin’s snapshot taking a hefty deflection off Enzo Fernandez (77), before Lisandro Martinez made a crucial late tackle to thwart Aziz Behich after a thrilling mazy run.
A tournament of late drama might have provided another final twist, Garang Kuol firing straight at Emi Martinez from close range, but Lionel Scaloni’s side held on to reach the last eight.
Result: Argentina 2-1 Australia
The key moment in Argentina vs Australia
Messi’s breakthrough that barely looked like coming.
He started and finished a fine move, swinging a free-kick into the box then scampering into the danger zone in search of the afters.
Alexis Mac Allister and Nicolas Otamendi kept the ball moving in tight space, but Messi then took control, taking a quick touch before passing into the net through a pair of green-shorted legs.
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Player of the match — Lionel Messi
On his big night, who else?
When Argentina needed inspiration against stubborn opponents, he delivered.
A 35-year-old man leads the tournament in xG and open-play chances created. pic.twitter.com/RpfovgE6a6
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) December 3, 2022
Key statistic
Messi overcame a personal hoodoo against Australia, scoring in the knockout stage of the World Cup for Argentina for the first time.
All eight of his previous goals had come in the group stage.
789 – In his 1,000th career appearance, Lionel Messi has scored his 789th goal, and his first in the knockout stages of the World Cup. Breakthrough. pic.twitter.com/0gPeYqcLmR
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 3, 2022
What does it mean?
Australia bow out after defying expectation to emerge from a group that included France, Denmark and Tunisia and then serving up late jitters.
But Argentina march on, hopes of a first triumph since 1986 alive, and Messi dreaming of joining Diego Maradona in leading his country to world football’s biggest prize.
What’s next?
Argentina will face the Netherlands on Friday, December 9 at Lusail Stadium, with kick-off 7pm GMT, 2pm ET and 11am PT.
Win that one and Brazil could lie in wait in the semi-finals…
Read more: Argentina eliminated the Netherlands on penalties to advance to the semi-finals
(Photo: Getty Images)