World Cup Report: Argentina 2 - 1 Australia
Leo Messi Credit: Michael Regan/FIFA/Getty Images
The class and the guile of Argentina, and in particular the magic of Lionel Messi, was enough to overcome a gallant and hardworking Australian side by 2-1 in the last 16 knock out round at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Saturday night.
The win sends Argentina through to the first quarter-final pairing to be settled, a mouth-watering last eight clash with the Netherlands next Friday.
Argentina started the game on a very positive note and had pinned Australia back into their own half for the first 25 minutes of the game. They had 80 % possession but were met with a very well drilled 4-4-2 structure by Australia and really had no end product from all their possession.
They had only one shot from Alejandro Gomez during that period and it was high and wild and did not trouble Mat Ryan in goals.
The possession stakes became much more even for about 10 minutes during which Australia forced the first corner of the game but Nicolas Otamendi cleared the subsequent free kick with ease.
From a second corner five minutes later six-foot six- inch centre back Harry Soutar rose highest but his downward header carried no threat and the ball was booted clear.
The pendulum swung back in Argentina’s favour in the 33rd minute however and who else but Lionel Messi was at the centre of the drama.
Aziz Behich gave away a free kick close to the touchline and when Messi’s cross was cleared by the Australian defence, Argentina picked up the second ball quickly and recycled it back to Messi. The ‘’little maestro ‘drove into box, played a one-two with Gomez and then stroked the ball through the legs of Soutar and into the net for the opening goal.
It was 1-0 at the break, certainly no more than Lionel Scaloni’s team deserved after their domination of the first 45 minutes.
Argentina continued to own the ball at the start of the second half and their high pressing game paid dividends in the 57th minute.
A poor back pass to Mat Ryan forced the Australian keeper to try to dribble his way out of trouble but a very alert Julian Alverez nipped in to steal the ball off his foot and roll the ball into an empty net.
That should have been game over but a raft of substitutes by Australian manager Graham Arnold helped swing the game back in their favour midway through the second half.
Substitute Craig Goodwin unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box in the 77th minute and it took a wicked deflection off Enzo Fernandez and flew into the net with goalkeeper Emi Martinez left stranded.
There were numerous moments of wizardry from Messi throughout the second half, he slalomed through the Australian defence at will and set up a number of chances which his colleagues were unable to convert.
Australia threw the kitchen sink in search of an equaliser in the last 20 minutes but heroic defending from the likes of Manchester pair of Niclolas Otamendi (Man City) Lissandro Martinez (Man Utd) kept them at bay.
Australia almost nicked a goal in the last minute of added time when Newcastle Utd bound Garang Kuol wriggled free in the box but his shot, which was on target, was saved by Martinez and moments later referee Szymon Marciniak blew the final whistle in the 98th minute.
Argentina march on while Australia head home after contributing hugely to a dramatic second half of action in this game and a good tournament overall for Arnolds squad.
Incidentally, Messi notched up his 789th goal and 1000th match tonight, a remarkable feat for a player who, based on this performance, still appears to be at the height of his powers even at the age of 35.
Argentina: Emi Martinez; Nahuel Molina (Exequiel Palacios 80), Nickolas Otamendi, Christian Romero, Marcos Acuna (Nicolas Tagliafico 71); Alexis Mac Allister (Gonzalo Montiel 80), Enzo Fernandez, Rodrigo De Paul; Julian Alvarez (Lautaro Martinez 71) Lionel Messi, Alejandro Gomez (Lisandro Martinez 50)
Subs not Used Franco Armani, Geronimo Rulli, Juan Foyth, Cristian Romero, German Pezzella, Angel Di Maria, Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodriguez, Paulo Dybala, Angel Correa, Thiago Almada.
Booked: None
Australia: Mat Ryan; Milos Degenek (Fran Karacic 72), Harry Souttar, Kye Rowles, Aziz Behich; Aaron Mooy; Matthew Leckie (Garang Kuol 72) Jackson Irvine, Riley McGree (Craig Goodwin 59), Keanu Baccus (Ajdin Hrustic 59); Mitchell Duke (Jamie Maclaren 72).
Subs not used: Andrew Redmayne, Danny Vukovic, Fran Karacic, Nathaniel Atkinson, Bailey Wright, Joel King, Thomas Deng, Cameron Devlin, Martin Boyle, Jamie Maclaren, Awer Mabil, Jason Cummings.
Booked: Jackson Irvine (14), Milos Degenek (37)
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
Attendance 45,002
Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
