World Cup 2022: Lionel Messi leads Argentina to 2

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With the first shot on goal of the game, Lionel Messi made it 1-0 in the 35th minute

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IMAGO/Martin Rickett / IMAGO/PA Images

The Argentina national football team is in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar.

With goals from captain Lionel Messi (35th minute) and Julián Álvarez (57th), the sky blue and whites won 2-1 (1-0) against Australia, for which Craig Goodwin scored late with a deflected long-range shot (77th minute). )

In the next round, the Argentinians have their first game against a real top team in this tournament next Friday (December 9th, 8pm): the Netherlands.

In the first round of 16, the Dutch had won 3-1 (2-0) against the USA in the late afternoon.

Read more about the game here.

For Australia, the sixth participation in a final round ends.

Reaching the round of 16 remains the best result in Australia's World Cup history.

There was only one shot on goal in the first half – and it landed: After a clear free-kick, Messi got the ball back on the right side, played it across the center in front of the penalty area and then shot into the half-space himself.

A stoppage error by Nicolás Otamendi got Messi's foot on the ball, took it perfectly and slid it through several Australian legs into the far corner.

It was the 35-year-old superstar's first goal in a knockout game at a World Cup.

Overall it was Messi's 789th goal in his 1000th competitive game.

Aggressive Argentines force the 2-0

It was a combat game.

Australia defended with two tight back fours, leaving Messi little room in the tens to get creative.

If Argentina ever became dangerous, it was after winning the ball early on.

This is how the second goal came about.

Rodrigo de Paul and Álvarez put pressure on Australia goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, who was unable to free himself with a long shot.

Álvarez got the ball and increased it to 2:0 (57th).

The game looked decided but Australia cut back when Goodwin fired from the inside left about 20 yards out.

Enzo Fernández wanted to block the ball, but deflected it into his own goal (77').

Argentina still had to tremble, after a fantastic solo by Aziz Behich, Lisandro Martínez got in the shot at the last moment (80').

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