Finance
FIFA World Cup 2022 Argentina vs Australia Highlights: Lionel Messi had his best match of the World Cup so far as Argentina defeated Australia 2-1 to advance to the quarterfinals against the Netherlands next week.
Despite a two-goal lead, the final moments of the game were far more tense than Argentina had anticipated. Messi’s moment of brilliance came in the 35th minute, after Australia had controlled the first third of the game well.
Despite being far inferior in terms of talent, the Socceroos did well to contain Argentina’s attacks, allowing them to maintain possession while slowing down the tempo, leaving little space in between the lines for chance creation. Then the moment arrived, following a flash point.
While closing down the opposition defense, Messi challenged Aziz Behich down the touchline, rattling both the defender and himself and resulting in a collision. Behich then gave away a naive wide free kick out of frustration. Messi’s delivery was cleared, only for the ball to re-enter his path as he shuffled his way infield, playing it into Mac Allister, whose pass was touched off by Otamendi and back into Messi’s path. The first touch of the maestro was brilliant and the finish even better.
The rest of the game was a challenge for the Aussies, who had to create their own goal threat while remaining in their structured, defensive 4-4-2 formation. And, near the hour mark, a single blunder gave them a mountain to climb. Rodrigo De Paul effectively pressed goalkeeper Mat Ryan as he attempted to play out of the back, and was caught on the ball by Julian Alvarez, who stole the ball from the keeper’s blindside on the right and slotted it into the net to score his country’s second in a moment of brilliant opportunism.
Argentina eventually won, but only narrowly. That late surge from Australia would have made them uneasy, and the frantic and nervous defending required to get over the line may not be enough as the tournament progresses.
Lineups: Argentina: E Martinez, Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna, De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Gomez, Messi, Alvarez; Australia: Ryan, Degenek, Souttar, Rowles, Behich, Leckie, Mooy, Irvine, Baccus, McGree, Duke;
Source:IE
