During virtually the first 80 minutes of the game, Argentina seemed to have control of the round of 16 duel of the World Cup in Qatar against Australia, at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium this Saturday (3). It opened 2-0 and didn’t take big risks. However, from then on, it experienced dramatic moments until it secured the 2-1 classification. The South American team went through a little hardship until literally the last shot, when goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez made a great save in a close-range shot by Kuol. Now, he has an appointment with the Netherlands next Friday (9) for the quarterfinals.
Argentina secure their spot in the Quarter-finals! ??@adidasfootball ?? #FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 3, 2022
The Argentine winning goals were scored by Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez. Craig Goodwin came down for the Aussies.
In the thousandth game of his career, Messi’s goal
Regardless of what happened on the field, the duel for the round of 16 would represent a milestone in the career of one of the greatest players in the history of world football. Lionel Messi completed a thousand games in his professional career.
Nothing fairer, then, that the first noteworthy event in the match came from him. In a first half of much study and few opportunities, Messi opened the scoring in the 35th minute. He took a corner on the right. Mac Allister received and tried to trigger Otamendi inside the area. The defender’s incomplete control ended up adjusting the ball to Messi’s left leg, who, as he had done so many times in his career, finished with style to beat goalkeeper Matthew Ryan. It was the 789th goal of the star’s career.
MESSI
?? pic.twitter.com/ZQpPBtSH7m— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 3, 2022
2nd half warm until electrifying finish
Even at a disadvantage on the scoreboard, Australia did not adopt a more aggressive posture when returning from the changing rooms. However, the team did not count on a shot in the foot provided by goalkeeper Matthew Ryan at twelve minutes. He received the ball back and, pressured by De Paul, tried to dribble the Argentine player. Julián Álvarez stole the ball and shot into the empty net, extending Argentina’s lead on the scoreboard.
For another 20 minutes, although it was saying goodbye to the Cup, Australia was unable to jeopardize the opponent’s goal. However, in a stroke of luck, he returned to the game.
At 32, Goodwin took over the defense and kicked hard. The ball, which seemed destined for the stands, hit Enzo Fernández and the deflection completely killed goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, making it 2-1.
With new life on the field, the Australian team was filled with courage. He didn’t create many opportunities, but when he arrived he caused extreme concern to the Argentina fans. A few minutes after the goal, full-back Behich made a play from the left, passing by at least three opponents. When he was already facing the goal, practically in the small area, his shot was blocked by Lisandro Martínez, preventing what would have been a great goal.
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 3, 2022
Little by little, Argentina managed to breathe and even take more danger than the opponent who needed the goal. In several counterattacks, the Argentine players appeared freely but failed in the finals. Lautaro Martínez missed a goal after a pass from Messi, who also wasted a chance.
In the last shot of the match, practically at the end of the seven minutes of added time, a last scare for the Argentines. After lifting the ball in the area, Kuol dominated and faced the goal. However, goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez bravely came out and, with his arms, practically closed the angle, making an important and difficult defense with his left arm.
Relieved, the Argentines threw themselves on the ground with the final whistle, which guaranteed the classification in the quarterfinals, something that the selection did not achieve in 2018, when it fell in the round of 16 to France, which would be the champion.
The Netherlands, Argentina’s opponents in five other matches in the history of the Cups, will be the obstacle in the quarterfinals (as well as in 1998, when they defeated the Netherlands). The duel takes place on Friday (9), at 4 pm in Brasília, at Estádio de Lusail.
Our first Quarter-Final showdown is locked in ?
Friday: ?? ? ?? #FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 3, 2022
