Who will Argentina play against in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup?
After being dumped out in the Round of 16 at Russia 2018, Argentina advanced to the quarter finals in Qatar - the 13th time they have made it to the Last 8.
Since Sunday, Argentina have been busy preparing for their World Cup showdown with the Netherlands - the second of four quarter finals to be played this weekend.
Lionel Scaloni’s side booked their place in the next round at Qatar 2022 after beating Australia 2-1 - it will be the 10th time that the Albiceleste have been involved at the Last 8 stage. It was a day to remember 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. And while it might be hard to believe, it was also Messi’s first goal in the knockout stage of the tournament - his previous seven strikes were all scored during the group stage.
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Julián Álvarez doubled the lead on the hour but Australia refused to give up without a fight. They pulled a goal back with 15 minutes left, to give themselves a chance of getting back on level terms after Enzo Fernández turned the ball past his own keeper. But Scaloni’s men held on, becoming the second team to secure their place in the quarter finals at Qatar 2022.
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 in their Round of 16 tie, also on Saturday.
The quarter final between the Netherlands and Argentina will be played on Friday 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 - the most recent being the semi-finals at Brazil 2014 which ended without goals and was settled from the penalty spot with the South Americans holding their nerve to win 2-4.