Argentina defeated Australia 2-1 to make it to the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup 2022, as Lionel Messi beat Diego Maradona’s record of most goals by an Argentine in World Cups.
Argentina won a freekick on the right in the 34th minute. Messi’s swinging ball in was cleared by Souttar, but only until Papu Gomez squared the ball to Messi again, who gave it to Mac-Allister before tiptoeing into the box. Allister found Otamendi in the box, just behind Messi, and his touch set the ball up for one of those classic Messi curlers from the right edge of the box into the bottom corner. Indeed, he went there and did exactly THAT! 1-0 to Argentina.
Argentina kept dominating in the second half before the Aussie keeper Ryan decided it was not enough and the Albiceleste needed further help. De Paul made the Aussie backline uncomfortable with his relentless high press, and Ryan catapulted in making a mistake and taking a heavy touch inside the six-yard box. Alvarez was the quickest to react as he pounced on the loose ball and side-footed it into the back of the net. 2-0 to Lionel and Co.
Australia put a foot back in the game when Otamendi repelled a cross from the left back into the Aussie midfield, where Goodwin was waiting to take a shot from 25 yards. The shot took a nasty deflection of Martinez and found the back of the net to reduce the deficit to one goal.
Aussies came close to equalizing a couple of minutes later when Behich made a scintillating run past three Argentine defenders to get into the box band before cutting inside to beat a fourth but his scuffed shot was blocked by a sliding Lisandro.
In the 88th minute, Argentina came close to doubling their lead. Messi won the ball in midfield and darted toward the Aussie defense before wriggling past three defenders to set up Martinez for a shot, who blew it over the bar.
In the last few minutes of the game, both teams huffed and puffed but Argentina managed to hold on and secure their place in the quarters. Argentina wasn’t particularly great during the game, but Messi was. The Argentine in his 1000th game rolled back the years with his play and was lively throughout the match. Another masterclass from the little magnifico, something the Argentina fans would hope to see again against the Dutch in the next round.
Share This Post On
0 comments
Leave a comment
You need to login to leave a comment. Log-in
