Who will Argentina play against in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup?
Lionel Messi pulled level with Maradona as his opener set Argentina on their way to victory against Australia.
Argentina booked their place in the quarter finals at Qatar 2022 after beating Australia 2-1 - the 10th time the Albiceleste have been involved at the Last 8 stage. It was a special occasion for Lionel Messi, who set Argentina on their way, scoring the opener as he celebrated his 1,000th career game. It was his 94th goal in 169 appearances for the national side and his eighth goal at a World Cup - pulling him level with Diego Maradona and Guillermo Stábile. Curiously, it was also Messi’s first goal in the knockout stage at a World Cup - his previous seven were all scored during the group stage.
Julián Álvarez doubled the lead on the hour but Australia refused to give up without a fight. They pulled a goal back and gave themselves a chance of getting back on level terms with 15 minutes remaining when Enzo Fernández turned the ball past his own keeper. But Scaloni’a men held on, to become the second team to secure their place in the quarter finals.
Who will Argentina meet in the quarter final?
Argentina’s quarter final opponents are the winners of today’s other Round of 16 tie, the Netherlands, who beat the USMNT 3-1 earlier on Saturday.
The quarter final between the Netherlands and Argentina will be played on 9 December 2022 at Lusail Stadium kicking off at 2:00 pm ET / 11:00 am PT.
The quarter final clash will be a repeat of the 1978 final which Argentina, hosting the tournament, won 3-1. It will be the sixth time that Argentina and the Netherlands have met at the World Cup finals.