Argentina vs Australia summary: Messi opener, score, goals, highlights | Qatar World Cup 2022
Argentina vs Australia: Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16
IT'S ALL OVER! ARGENTINA ARE THROUGH!
Argentina have made it hard for themselves... but they're through!
Remember how I said this game wasn't up to much at half-time (apart from Messi's goal)? Well, scrap that.
That second half was much, much better and Argentina were much, much better. They played with a purpose and an intensity that we didn't see in the first half and that looked set to lead them to a third straight comfortable 2-0 win. But soccer is a funny game. Out of nowhere, Goodwin's wayward strike hit Fernández and went in and it was game on.
Cue madness at either end of the field. Argentina could have scored three or four times in the final 15 minutes but their hearts were in their mouths when Aziz Behich weaved his way into the box and looked certain to score, only to be thwarted by a superb challenge from Lisandro Martínez. Namesake Emi then made a vital stop right at the death to stop Garang Kuol from taking the game to extra-time.
The final word has to go to Messi. He put in a performance worthy of the 1000-game milestone, lighting up the first half with a clinical finish and putting on a superb exhibition of close control and clever passing in the second half. He deserved to go through on that performance alone.
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Join AS USA for live-text coverage of the 2022 World Cup final, as Argentina and France go head to head for the title at Lusail Stadium. Joe Brennan will be bringing you all the build-up and action as both teams bid to lift the trophy for the third time.
It's now Wednesday 14 December and in case you have landed on this older feed, allow us to point you towards the second semi-final of the 2022 World Cup, France vs Morocco to find out who will play Argentina in the showpiece final.
Joe is the man in place with our live coverage to take you through all the build up ahead of the game, bringing you team news and various insights into the two sides.
And then from kick off he will carry you all the way to when the final whistle blows in Qatar. You'll not want to miss out!
It's now Tuesday 13 December and in case you have stumbled across this older feed, allow us to redirect you to the first semi-final of the 2022 World Cup, Argentina vs Croatia.
Joe is the man in place with our live coverage to take you through all the build up ahead of the game, bringing you team news and various insights into the two sides.
And then from kick off he will carry you all the way to when the final whistle blows and we have our first finalist in Qatar confirmed. You'll not want to miss out!
The present and future of Argentina
The last word goes to the "present and future" of Argentina.
What might the near future hold for Messi, Álvarez and co?
Well, that was an unexpectedly great game, in the end. It definitely didn't look that way at half-time...
The round of 16 continues tomorrow with two games which we will, of course, be covering right here on AS USA!
- France vs Poland kicks off at 10am ET
- England vs Senegal starts at 2pm ET
We'll be building up for those around two hours before kick-off.
Australia manager Graham Arnold: Everyone said we were the worst Australian team to qualify
"Everyone said we were the worst Socceroo team to qualify for the World cup and the worst Socceroo team ever. That’s gone now. We're the only Socceroo team to win two games at a World Cup. I hope Australia is really, really proud".
Emi Martínez: Argentina's 'other' hero
Messi has stolen the headlines but that save right at the end from Emi Martínez was just as crucial. Had that gone in, Australia would have gone flying into extra-time.
Argentina to play the Netherlands in the quarter-finals
Goalkeeper Emi Martínez made reference to it there; Argentina will take on the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
That match will take place at Lusail Iconic Stadium on Friday, 9 December and will kick off at 2pm ET.
Almost a week's break for the two teams.
Emi Martínez: They scored out of nothing, which made it hard for us
"They made it hard for us. They pressed high, they didn't let us play out from the back. We improved a bit in the second half and controlled the game, we played a bit higher up the pitch. Then they scored out of nothing, which made it tougher for us."
"The Netherlands will be tough opponents. We've had Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Poland, now Australia who fought hard. Now we''ll play a team who are much better in terms of technical ability, but they'll also have to think about us.
Cristian Romero: We showed character and that we can play too
"We're so happy because unfortunately we had to suffer a bit at the end. You have to give them credit, they had to go for it as they were going out. The only chance they had was the one that went in off Enzo Fernández. The the one at the end with Dibu Martínez. But I think we showed character and that we can play too.This team has a lot of personality. We know that anything can happen but we've shown that we'll give absolutely everything."
Messi of the match
A bit more Messi love for you, as if there hasn't been enough. This man just keeps breaking records.
Messi: The fans are incredible
"The fans are incredible. When we knew we were going to play every things days, we knew it would be crazy and we wouldn't have time to rest. But at the same time, we want to be here because of what it means to the fans and how passionate they are. We need to stay as united as we have been."
Messi: We didn't have much time to rest, we were tired
"It was a tough game and a tough day. We didn't have much time to rest, we were tired. But were able to recover well, it was a really physical game today."
Messi: We had the game under control, we weren't in too much danger
"We had the game under control. We could've killed them off then they scored via a deflection. We weren't in too much danger other than the one at the end that Martínez had to save. We knew that they would fight until the end but we're through, that's what matters."
Reaction coming up
Messi is one of several Argentina players who's already had their say on their 2-1 win.
Messi overtakes Cristiano Ronaldo and Maradona
Messi (9) has now scored more World Cup goals than Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Maradona (both 8). Only Gabriel Batistuta (10) has scored more for Argentina.
EMI MARTÍNEZ TO THE RESCUE!
WHAT A CHANCE! The ball comes into the Argentina box, Kuol outmuscles his marker and has a clear sight of goal, only to be denied by a crucial stop by Martínez! That's massive!
With Australia throwing bodies forward, it's chance after chance for Argentina now! Messi and Lautaro again have chances to kill the game off but have their efforts blocked, then saved, the Messi bundles it wide. Madness!
And seconds later, Messi curls another one a matter of inches wide! That would have been vintage Messi...again.
GREAT SAVE FROM RYAN!
It's not been Lautaro's night in his short time on the field. Messi again picks Martínez out with a perfect pass, he hits the target this time but Ryan keeps it out.
"Messi, Messi" is the cry once again as he mesmerises us all with a bit more silkiness on the ball. Australia have it back though.
Seven minutes of added time to be played!
It's stating the obvious but Argentina need to be careful here. Big Harry Souttar has gone up front for Australia, they're going to pump balls forward like there's no tomorrow now.
WHAT A MISS!
That's a shocker from Lautaro Martínez. Australia lose possession, Messi picks it up, bides his time and tees up Martínez, who has plenty of time to pick his spot but sends it into the crowd behind the goal.
They won't get it like that, though. De Paul slides the ball through to Martínez in the box but he drags his first-time effort well wide.
Things have settled back down a little bit. Argentina will be happy to have possession and stop Australian from building up a head of steam. A third goal would be nice for them though...
Soccer is incredible, isn't it? Australia looked to be dead and buried and one lucky deflection has changed everything. That's why we love it though, isn't it?
Argentina subs
Palacios and Montiel have come on for Mac Allister and Molina as Argentina look to settle thigs back down.
OH MY GOD!
What a goal that would've been from Behich! He wriggles his way past several Argentina players and finds himself alone in front of goal but a last-ditch challenge from Martínez denies him!
Australia are right back in this!
GOOOOOOOOAL for Australia! Goodwin makes it 2-1!
"This 2-0 lead looks anything but dangerous, he said..."
Goodwin's shot from the edge of the box is going miles wide, takes a huge deflection off Fernández and ends up in the corner of the net!
How did that happen?? GAME ON!
The substitutes combine to get another shot away! Martínez is clattered just as he pokes the ball through for the onrushing Tagliafico, who drags his shot wide of the target.
I've seen 2-0 being described as a 'dangerous lead' before but this one looks anything but dangerous. Australia haven't threatened at all in this second half.
Almost an instant impact from Martínez! But he can't quite get on the end of a runaround, with Rowles just beating him to the ball as he threatened to break through on goal.
Triple change for Australia
Kuol, Karacic and MacLaren on for Leckie, Degenek and Duke.
Double switch for Argentina
Lautaro Martínez and Nicolás Tagliafico on for Julián Álvarez and Marcos Acuña.
A fine performance from Álvarez in attack, and a goal. He can be happy with his night's work.
And within seconds, Messi fires one narrowly over from the edge of the area! Much, much, much, MUCH better from Argentina! This is the Argentina we all wanted to see (unless you're Australian).
Almost a second for Álvarez! Acuña whips a great cross in from the left and Álvarez is a whisker away from connecting!
Wow. Messi is really in the mood now!
Another run from deep cuts through the Australian midfield and, after a couple of ricochets, he almost has another sight of goal, only for the ball to be cleared for a corner (which is cleared).
For the second time in the game, there are roars from the Argentinian fans in attendance as Messi puts on another display of impeccable close control. Olé..
Double change for Australia
Goodwin and Hrustic replace McGree and Baccus.
Alexis Mac Allister is next to throw himself into a block high up the pitch. Argentina are playing with much more intensity in this second half.
It was a mistake from Mathew Ryan but the pressing from Rodrigo De Paul and Julián Álvarez made that goal. Superb work from the pair.
GOOOOOOOOOOL, Julían Álvarez! 2-0!
Ryan has had a nightmare there...
Souttar rolls the ball back to his goalkeeper and he panics with De Paul hunting him down. Ryan takes a heavy touch and it goes straight to Álvarez, who turns and rolls the ball into an empty net.
Messi almost in! That was strange and a very un-Australia like passage of play. Martínez boots one long and Messi is almost clean through on goal. Ryan rushes out of his goal to clear.
Argentina have gone to a back three with Martínez joining Otamendi and Romero in defence. I wouldn't like to run into that trio in a dark alley.
Otamendi dicing with calamity (not quite death) there! A short backpass almost gives Duke a chance to nip in but it just has enough on it to allow Martínez to clear.
Another site of goal for Messi! The ball is worked back to him from the edge of the box but he slips as he shoots and it's a comfortable save for Ryan, his first of the game.
First change for Argentina
This is an interesting switch...
Defender Lisandro Martínez comes on for attacker Papu Gómez.
Great pressing from Australia! Duke chases down Argentina goakeeper Martínez and almost leaves him red faced. He gets a block on the clearance but it goes out for a throw.
The boys are back and the second half is underway! What can Australia conjure up?
More entertainment "guaranteed" in second half!
With that in mind, we're surely going to have a bit more entertainmentin terms of efforts on goal in the second half, aren't we? We couldn't have much less...
Australia will have to come out and play a bit, which will leave more space for Argentina to attack.
Have I talked you into it? Yes, come on!
xG haters look away now
Not everyone is a fan of xG, I know, but this is a nice stat to show you just how little goalmouth action there's been so far. Next to nothing at either end.
But, you know, Messi.
Messi's first World Cup knockout goal
A first World Cup knockout goal for the Argentina captain. Would you back against him to get a few more in his final tournament?
Messi puts Argentina 1-0 ahead at half-time!
It just had to be Lionel Messi on his 1000th appearance!
Australia will be very disappointed to go in a goal behind. They've done everything right, have hardly given Argentina any space to work with in the final third, goalkeeper Mathew Ryan has had almost nothing to do.
I used the words *hardly* and *almost* deliberately there as *hardly* and *almost* are usually not quite enough when Messi is on the field. The PSG man hasn't had one of his better nights by any stretch of the imagination but a little bit of time and a little bit of space was all he needed to produce a moment of brilliance.
Without carrying a great deal of threat, Australia had managed to work their way higher up the pitch as the half went on and the goal came just as they were enjoying their best spell of the match.
789 goals for Messi
Number 800 won't be too far away...
We've not had anything to get excited about since the goal, really. But Messi's strike has got the Argentina fans fired up again after a bit of a lull. Álvarez also doing his bit with some chasing down of the Australian defence.
Souttar is next to go in hard on Messi. A fair challenge but looked a sore one for the PSG star. He'll be OK though.
Degenek is next in the book after waving an elbow in Acuña's face. He'll also miss the next game for Australia if they turn things round.
Messi's 3rd goal of the tournament
That strike means Messi is the joint-top scorer in the competition with three goals. Nine in all World Cup tournaments now.
GOOOOOOOOOOAL! MESSI HAS DONE IT!
1000 games, one World Cup knockout goal!
Messi's name rings round the ground as he slots into the bottom corner, as he has so often done over the years. That came from the second phrase of a play after his own free-kick had been headed out of the box.
A touchline tussle between Behich and Messi has wound the Australian left-back right up. It was good pressing from Messi to win a throw and, seconds later, Behich fouls Gómez and gives Argentina a chance to get the ball in the box.
'Ponderous' is the word I'd use to describe Argentina so far. It's been one-paced stuff, Messi has been crowded out a couple of times in midfield as he looked to move the ball into the danger area. There's not much space for them to exploit at the moment.
Romero really wasn't messing about there! I mentioned he and Duke might be involved in a physical battle and that's exactly what happened there. Just as well the Spurs defender got the ball,he wasn't holding back in that tackle.
First moment of danger from Australia! A McGree corner finds the towering figure of Souttar, whose goalbound header is blocked by Romero!
A horrible shank out of play from Romero as he looks to clear Molina's short pass back to him. That was reminiscent of my golf game.
Aaron Mooy's delivery is excellently headed away by Otamendi under pressure. It goes back to theCeltic man, who floats another cross straight out of play. Whistles all round.
A bit of possession for Australia for the first time in the game and they work their way out of defence and into midfield really easily. The ball is worked wide to Leckie, who forces a corner!
Australia will be very happy with this so far. Mathew Ryan hasn't had anything to do in the first 20 minutes. Were they watching Cameroon last night? Stay in the game and then try something late on was their philosophy.
This has quickly become defence against attack but Behich makes a brave break down the left and makes his way into the Argentina box, where he is blocked off (legally) by De Paul.
First effort from Argentina
First effort on goal!
Papu Gómez picks the ball up on the left, drifts infield and lines one up...it ends up in the top tier of the stand.
Jackson Irvine trods on Acuña's toes and is first to go in the book. There'll be no quarter-final for him, if Australia go through.
There's been absolutely nothing in terms of goalmouth action so far so Álvarez decides to take matters into his own hands with a direct run at the Aussie goal right down the middle of the pitch. He gets as far as the edge of the box before Behich steps in to clear.
That's more like it from Leo! A huge roar goes round the ground as old twinkle-toes Messi skips past a couple of challenges in midfield and...plays a five-yard sideways pass.
WHAT HAVE I JUST SEEN?
A loose touch from Messi. Can't think of many others in...18 years.
Romero and Otamendi against Mitch Duke is going to be such a physical battle. Those three might end up black and blue tonight.
First foul on Messi. Baccus rattles into Messi as he drops deep into midfield to get on the ball. That probably won't be the last of those.
An early penalty shout for Argentina!
Gómez chipped one up and it did come off Baccus' hand in the box...we've seen those given, especially recently.
Australia were first to venture into the Argentina box but it's now the Argentines who are dominating possession. I suspect we'll see plenty of this.
We're off! Australia get us underway!
National anthem review
Argentina's is a grandiose number and their fans are right up for it. You can hear it ringing around the ground.
Australia's is a slightly more tranquil affair but a big finish with a nice long note at the end.
This is it! Here we go!
National anthem time!
The teams are emerging from the tunnels and the national anthems are about to get underway!
Lionel Messi in numbers
Did I mention that tonight was Lionel Messi's 1000th professional game?
788 goals, 385 assists and 41 trophies to go with the aforementioned 7 Ballon d'Ors.
Not a bad shift from Leo.
10 minutes to go!
Argentina and Australia warm-ups are coming to an end.
Who've you got for this one?
Australia World Cup record
This is Australia's sixth appearance in the World Cup and their fifth in a row. This is just the second they've reached the round of 16 after Germany 2006, when they lost to eventual winners Italy because of an injury-time penalty from Francesco Totti.
Argentina World Cup record
Argentina are won of three teams to have won the World Cup twice, along with Uruguay and France.
They won two out of three tournaments in between 1978 and 1986 and have since lost two finals, in 1990 and 2014.
How far can they go this time?
Half-an-hour to go!
30 minutes to go to kick-off...how are the nerves, Argentinians and Australians?
Atmosphere looks to be building nicely in Al Rayyan.
Finally...!
This is what I was waiting for for about 45 minutes.
You've got to dot the Ts and cross the Is.
Lionel Messi looking for first ever World Cup knockout goal
Lionel Messi.
Seven Ballon d'Or awards...
11 league titles...
Four Champions Leagues...
One Copa América...
ZERO World Cup knockout goals.
I find that incredible, don't you? Could tonight be the night?
Ángel Di Maria absent for Argentina
It comes as a surprise to absolutely nobody but Ángel Di María has lost his race to be fit to start against Australia. The winger missed training on Friday because of a thigh problem and is replaced in the team by Papu Gómez.
He has, however, been named on the bench.
Defences on top?
Australia - and giant centre-back Harry Souttar in particular - have earned plenty of plaudits for their defending in the last two group games. This is also impressive from the Argentines and I'm starting to worry. Two defences that don't give much away and a stadium that hasn't seen that many goals....
Maybe if I call it out, it won't happen!
Annoyingly, Argentina haven't confirmed this themselves and I wanted a nice Argentina-branded graphic to share with you good people. But this'll have to do for now.
As I mentioned below. That's one change from the team that defeated Poland, Papu Gómez comes in to replace the injured Ángel Di María.
Argentina XI vs Australia*
They haven't announced it anywhere themselves but I have it on good authority that it'll be this:
Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuña; De Paul, Fernández, Mac Allister; Messi, Álvarez, Gomez.
*Let's see!
Argentina are in the building!
Argentina are in the building, which is great.
Do we have team news? No, we don't! Which isn't.
Australia at the Qatar 2022 World Cup so far
Australia won't have been fancied by many to get out of Group D and although they took a shock first-half lead against France in their opening match, they ended up on the end of a 4-1 thrashing and few had changed their minds about them.
But if their defence was in disarray against Kylian Mbappé and friends, it was pretty momentous in scrappy 1-0 against Tunisia and Denmark. We’ve seen teams like the Socceroos do well so many times before in World Cups; there might not be a lot of attacking inspiration but if you’ve got a solid defensive foundation, you’ve got half of chance of getting somewhere.
Can they keep Messi and his mates at bay here?
| group D | T | MP | W | D | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Argentina at the Qatar 2022 World Cup so far
While we wait for the Argentina line-up, let's have a look back over how they got on in the group stages.
Lionel Scaloni's men went through as Group C winners but did they actually impress that much? On paper, they should've wiped the floor with Saudi Arabia but suffered a shock defeat, which at least made things 'interesting'. They did, at least, create plenty of chances in that game and had three goals ruled out for offside.
Comfortable 2-0 wins over Mexico and Poland followed but you get the feeling that there are several gears they could still go up.
| group C | T | MP | W | D | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Australia XI vs Argentina
Ryan; Degenek, Souttar, Rowles, Behich; Leckie, Mooy, Irvine, Bacchus; McGree, Duke.
Keanu Bacchus in for Craig Goodwin for his first ever international start. What a game to make it in!
Austarlia starting XI vs Argentina
Australia first to go with their line-up!
I make that one change from the team that defeated Denmark in their last group game.
The Argentina dressing room is ready but the starting line-up is not. It shouldn't be too long though.
Will Messi start?
(Very amusing, I know...)
Áhmad bin Ali Stadium the setting for Argentina vs Australia
The Áhmad bin Ali Stadium was demolished and then rebuilt for the tournament, with the capacity increasing from just over 21,000 to 45,000.
Cover your eye for this next bit. Six games have been played here so far and only nine goals have been scored.
Well, we must be due a few goals, right??
It's not every day that you play your 1000th game so, if you don't mind, I'm going to dedicate another post to it (I'm fairly sure it'll come up again....).
AS USA's Paul Reidy has given me a helping hand with this one. Here he is with a closer look at those 999 games.
Argentina vs Australia: Lionel Messi's 1000th match
There were stories going around a few weeks ago that Lionel Messi's 1000th professional match could be the World Cup final (what a story that would've been...) if he missed a few games for PSG before the World Cup. He didn't miss enough and it turns out that this is it.
Of course, we're all now expecting a show tonight from the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner (although we probably would've been anyway)
This is not Argentina vs Australia related but anyone who has an interest in soccer will be affected by this news. In case you missed it earlier on today, it was revealed that Brazilian legend Pelé had been moved into end-of-life care in São Paolo having been admitted to hospital earlier in the week. Such sad news about one of soccer's all-time greatest players.
We have a dedicated page so that you can follow the latest developments and also read up a bit more on Pelé illustrious life and career.
Two hours until kickoff
Many thought they wouldn't get here, yet here they are.
The Socceroos are ready....are you? Two hours to go until kickoff!
Before we get going, if you’re looking for a place where you can watch the game, then look no further! Here’s all the info you need.
Just make sure you keep this page open too….
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Winners of Argentina vs Australia to face the Netherlands in the quarter-finals
Argentina and Australia already know who's waiting for them in the quarter-finals - the Netherlands. Louis van Gaal's side have literally just beaten the USMNT in the early round of 16 game.
Kieran's here to let you know how that one played out.
Hello and welcome!
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening to you, wherever you are in the world!
The round of 16 in the Qatar 2022 World Cup is upon us and it's almost time for some Argentina vs Australia ! Kickoff is in a couple of hours (2pm ET, to be precise), and I (Roddy) will be here to take you through (almost) every kick. I'll also have plenty of build up to the game for you before then.
The business end of the World Cup has officially begun!
Argentina vs Australia : Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16
- The game at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan will kick off at 2pm ET
- Argentina firm favourites to see off Australia
- The winner will meet the Netherlands in the quarter-finals
- Lionel Messi plays his 1000th career game
- Ángel Di Maria loses race to be fit to start