Argentina vs Australia 2-1: World Cup 2022 – as it happened

There you have it.

Lionel Messi’s date with destiny is intact as Argentina march on to the quarter-finals, where they will face a strong Netherlands side fresh from a 3-1 victory over the USA.

A lot is made in the media about Messi’s temperament in crucial matches, but his performance today should prove otherwise.

The maestro was at the height of his powers, not only scoring the opening goal but also creating a series of chances for his teammates as Argentina looked to put away Australia.

Spare a thought for the Socceroos, though, as they dug deep to try and get back into the contest, especially after Fernandez’s own goal gave them life.

It was a pleasure having you join us today, and before you go, do make sure to check out our match report here.

We hope you will join us again tomorrow as we build up to the France-Poland and England-Senegal matches to come.

So it’s an old foe on Friday@FIFAWorldCup Quarter final

🇦🇷 Argentina vs Netherlands 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/bnNrojHWuR

— GOLAZO (@golazoargentino) December 3, 2022

Goals from Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez are enough to edge Australia 🇦🇺 2-1 to send Argentina 🇦🇷 to the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

Alvarez as a kid dreamt of playing with Messi and here he is fulfilling his life’s dream one day at a time. Dream BIG! pic.twitter.com/KKLwVZ9K9k

— Usher Komugisha (@UsherKomugisha) December 3, 2022

This Argentina team is getting better with every match.

— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) December 3, 2022

Lionel Messi’s game by numbers vs. Australia:

90% pass accuracy
75 touches
52 passes completed
4/6 ground duels won
4 key passes
2 big chances created
1 goal

Vintage Messi. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/hFzhi4bhoP

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 3, 2022

After a frenetic last 20 minutes of action, Argentina just survive as they head into the quarter-finals with a 2-1 victory over Australia.

The match seemed destined for a 2-0, maybe 3-0 result. However, an own goal courtesy of Enzo Fernandez gave Australia all the motivation they needed as they fought back valiantly to try and level the score.

Argentina also created a few chances of their own at the Australia end, but the eventual finishing attempts were poor.

The Socceroos will be gutted to be out of the tournament, but their fans should hold their heads high as they fought till the bitter end.

Full-time: Argentina 2-1 Australia

Australia, after sending in a deep ball, are all over Argentina as they try to level the score.

The ball ends up at Kuol’s feet inside the box on the right side. He sends in an effort at Damian Martinez, but the Argentina keeper is equal to the task.

90+7 mins: Argentina 2-1 Australia

It seems like deja vu as once again Lautaro finds the ball at his feet close to the near post after a series of attempts from his fellow Argentina attackers.

He tries to send it to the right of the keeper, but Ryan puts his leg out to block the chance.

Australia are really putting up a valiant effort here.

90+5 mins: Argentina 2-1 Australia

Messi tries to curl one to the far post from the left side, but he gets too much elevation on it.

90+4 mins: Argentina 2-1 Australia

Australia are clinging on as Messi once again finds Lautaro Martinez on his left side, but this time, the attempt is blocked ably by Ryan.

90+3 mins: Argentina 2-1 Australia

With a more feisty second half, the fourth official has signalled for seven additional minutes.

90+1 mins: Argentina 2-1 Australia

Messi makes a run towards the box on the right side and spots Lautaro Martinez open on his left.

He issues a quick pass to the forward, who steadies himself to take it, but his attempted finesse shot to the right of the keeper leaves much to be desired.

It really was a great chance for Argentina to put away Australia once and for all.

89 mins: Argentina 2-1 Australia

There has been a sea change in vocal support as the Australia fans have come to the fore, willing their team on to find an equaliser before time runs out.

87 mins: Argentina 2-1 Australia

Before the Behich chance, Scaloni had made a few more changes as he brings off Mac Allister and Molina for Exequiel Palacios and Gonzalo Montiel.

83 mins: Argentina 2-1 Australia

Is that Messi in a yellow shirt?

Behich almost pulls off the miraculous as he makes an incredible run from the left side into the box, but at the very last moment, his attempted shot is deflected away for a left-side corner.

Australia, however, are unable to make anything of it.

77 mins: Argentina 2-1 Australia

Goodwin tries to find a receiver inside of the box from distance, but the ball hits at Fernandez.

The midfielder, trying to direct the header away from the net, ends up wrong-footing his own goalkeeper as the ball goes past Martinez and into the net.

Australia’s tails are up and we have a match again here at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium!

77 mins: Argentina 2-1 Australia

Australia are back into the contest, courtesy of an own goal by Fernandez.

77 mins: Argentina 2-1 Australia

He didn’t take too long to try and influence things.

After being picked out while advancing on the goal on the left side, Tagliafico decides to have a go at the net, but steers his effort well wide of the right post.

76 mins: Argentina 2-0 Australia

Messi is starting to see more of the ball, and that can’t be good news for the gold-and-green.

But most of those in the stadium here are loving it and cheering him on. They know he’s one of the best the world has ever seen. They came to see him pull the strings and he is doing that today.

It could go from bad to worse for Australia if they allow Messi to be on the ball more.

Goal-scorer Alvarez is given rousing applause as he comes off in favour of Lautaro Martinez.

Meanwhile, Acuna’s night has come to a close as he is replaced by Nicolas Tagliafico.

For the Australians, there are three changes as Duke, Degenek and Leckie are subbed off in favour of James Maclaren, Fran Karacic and Garang Kuol.

73 mins: Argentina 2-0 Australia