It was a chance-poor and tough first half that Argentina and Australia offered in Saturday’s second round of 16 final. Argentina had the ball but never managed to create any scoring chances.
Until the 35th match minute.
Then Lionel Messi stepped forward. In his 1,000th match, the Argentinian curled the ball into the far corner with his left – as he has done many times earlier in his career. A classic Messi moment. The goal was the superstar’s first in the World Cup finals and thus he overtakes Diego Maradona in the number of World Cup goals. Messi now has nine goals, Maradona eight.
A star-studded team like Argentina hardly needs help. But still they got it – by Australian goalkeeper Mathew Ryan in the second half. He was put under pressure and tried to dribble away the Argentine forwards.
It didn’t end well.
Julian Alvarez twisted the ball and could easily roll in 2-0.
There and then it looked like a comfortable ride for Messi and Argentina.
But Australia had a lot of energy left. They forced for a reduction goal and in the 75th minute of the match the match was brought to life. Craig Goodwin pulled one back with a shot that was steered through Enzo Fernandez and into the goal behind a chanceless Emiliano Martinez.
Australia then went 2–2 but Argentina, and Martinez, held on to win 2–1 and are through to the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. There they face the Netherlands, who earlier on Saturday defeated the USA with 3-1.