Having progressed from the group stage for the ninth time in their last 10 World Cups, Argentina had every chance of keeping their chance at glory alive against an Australia side playing in the Round of 16 for just the second time in the tournament’s history. And with that difference in quality on paper came a tedious start on the pitch, as the Socceroos allowed Argentina possession whilst comfortably sitting deep. Even as the first-half continued, the lack of urgency failed to disappear, with both goalkeepers remaining untested.
It wasn’t until the 35th-minute when a real moment of quality arrived - of course, it came from Lionel Messi. The Argentine magician was perfectly placed to pick up the ball inside the area, before curling a pinpoint effort into the bottom right corner for his first ever goal in the World Cup knockout stages in his 100th appearance as captain of his national team.
The second half started in similar fashion, with an added intent from Australia handing Argentina more space than they were afforded in the first period. Lionel Scaloni changed the system within five minutes of the restart, and his side utilised a rare high press to force a costly error and double their advantage. It was goalkeeper Mathew Ryan with the moment to forget, as he was dispossessed just outside of the six-yard box, allowing Julián Álvarez to steal in and smartly tuck away his second goal of the tournament, seemingly putting the game beyond Graham Arnold’s men.
Argentina didn’t have it all their own way, however. Substitute Craig Goodwin’s effort from distance took a wicked deflection and left Emiliano Martínez stranded to reduce the arrears against the run of play. There were further scares on the way, as only a last-ditch block from Lisandro Martínez denied Aziz Behich a World Cup wonder-goal, after the full-back produced a Messi-esque run through the defence before being brilliantly denied by the Manchester United defender.
It simply wasn’t to be for Australia in the end, though, who paid the price for one mistake too many against high class opposition. Former two-time winners Argentina advanced to the last eight where they will meet the Netherlands in a repeat of the 1998 quarter-final - a match so well remembered for Dennis Bergkamp’s iconic 90th minute winner.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
