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Lionel Messi spearheaded Argentina’s cost to the World Cup quarterfinals after serving to to safe a 2-1 victory in opposition to Australia on Saturday.
On his 1,000th profession match, Messi scored the opening purpose with a elegant effort earlier than Julian Alvarez scored within the second half to arrange a quarterfinal tie in opposition to the Netherlands and knock Australia out of the match, because the Socceroos have been unable to construct upon their fortuitous late purpose.
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Regardless of Argentina’s firepower, Australia managed to restrict the early proceedings to be uneventful with neither aspect exerting any dominance.
However the Socceroos’ defence was breached on 35 minutes as Messi confirmed his simple high quality to attain his first ever purpose within the World Cup knockout levels.
The Paris Saint-Germain ahead began the transfer with a darting run inside from the fitting wing — a fast change of passes landed him contained in the field earlier than he unleashed a left-footed curling shot previous Mat Ryan.
Argentina’s grip on a quarterfinal spot was tightened 12 minutes after half-time as Rodrigo De Paul pounced on a slack contact by Australia goalkeeper Ryan, permitting Alvarez to fit right into a vacated web, doubling his aspect’s lead.
A triple substitution for Australia on 72 minutes signified a determined final roll of the cube by supervisor Graham Arnold they usually have been handed a lifeline when an personal purpose by Enzo Fernandez halved their deficit 13 minutes from time.
Craig Goodwin latched onto a free ball outdoors the field and struck a fierce effort first-time, which took an enormous deflection off Fernandez, fooling goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and hitting the again of the online.
With renewed optimism, Aziz Behich got here near levelling the sport three minutes later as he launched into a unbelievable darting run, beating 4 Argentina defenders earlier than ultimately being thwarted by Lisandro Martinez within the field.
Regardless of their need, a comeback did not materialise for Australia and their spectacular World Cup run got here to a halt.
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