Argentina taken to the tape by plucky Australia

Lionel Messi scored in his 1,000th competitive game, as Argentina recorded an edgy 2-1 win over Australia to progress to the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.

The Socceroos gave as good as they got for much of the first-half, but a moment of class from Argentina's talisman and captain Messi handed them a one goal advantage before the break.

As the Australians looked for a way back into the contest, a bad error from their goalkeeper Mat Ryan gifted Argentina a second goal shortly after the interval.

Graham Arnold's plucky side halved the deficit with a fortuitous deflected strike from Craig Goodwin, and came close to forcing the game into extra time when substitute Garang Kuol brought a big save from Emilano Martinez with virtually the last kick of the game. 

The Action: Ahead of the contest Graham Arnold's Socceroos would have been hellbent on keeping their shape and making Argentina work for any chances, and their gameplan was executed brilliantly in the opening half hour of the game.

Gritty and disciplined in their work, Australia matched Argentina in every department and even managed to land a few well-timed tackles on Albiceleste talisman Lionel Messi in his 1,000th competitive game. 

Stoke City centre-back Harry Souttar had been a pillar of strength at the back for the Aussies all tournament and the rangy defender was again to the fore as the Socceroos stood toe-to-toe with their much-vaunted opponents. 

On the fringes of the action for the opening half-hour, Messi burst into life on 35 minutes with predictable results. Argentina had been one-paced to that point, but a give and go in the box injected some verve into the action and after Nicolas Otamendi´s touch, Messi drifted onto the ball to guide home a fantastically accurate side-footed strike into the corner of Mat Ryan´s net. 

Messi´s strike marked his 789th goal in 1,000 games; Australia the 129th team he had scored against in his career. 

Lionel Messi's 𓃵 1000th Goal!
As Seen Live...!#Messi𓃵 #ARGAUS #GOAT𓃵 #1000Goal #Barca #Barcelona #Argentina #Australia pic.twitter.com/EKuElxc3L6

— Chrisben Isichei (@ChrisbenIsichei) December 3, 2022

One down at the break, the Australians would have been heartened by their performance, but aware that any lapses in concentration were likely to end their participation at the tournament. 

Unfortunately, it was an error from the Socceroos rather than a moment of magic from Argentina that put the South Americans firmly in control of the match after 57 minutes. 

Socceroos keeper Ryan has been a dependable presence throughout the tournament, but a misjudged first touch in his six yard box was all Man City striker Julian Alvarez needed in order to score his second goal in his first two World Cup appearances. 

A heavy touch allowed Alvarez to nip across Ryan, steal the ball and turn home a sharp right-footed finish into an empty net. 

Two goals to the good, Argentina were on cruise control, Messi weaving majestically through midfield just after the hour mark only to be denied by a last-ditch tackle before he could shoot. 

Out of nowhere, however, Australia were thrown a lifeline. Aziz Behich's cross was headed out to Craig Goodwin, whose 25-yard shot looked to be flying wide of the target until it hit Enzo Fernandez and flew into the bottom corner.

The Australians were buoyant and Dundee United´s Behich went into full Messi mode minutes later with a sensational weaving run that looked set to end in one of the goals of the tournament before a fantastic sliding tackle from Lisandro Martinez brought him to a halt. 

Argentina had a clear chance to restore their two goal cushion when more wonderful play from Messi created a simple finish for Lautaro Martinez, but the striker passed up the opportunity by skying it over the bar. 

A dramatic end to the game saw both sides spurn presentable openings before Australia had a golden chance to level at the death - sub Garang Kuol denied by a superb sprawling save from Emiliano Martinez. 

The Argentines celebrated wildly in front of their fans as the final whistle blew, but they will have to improve from now on if they have serious designs of winning the tournament. 

Man of the match: Without Lionel Messi, it is arguable whether Argentina would have got over the line in this one. Uninspired for much of the encounter, Argentina were hugely reliant on their captain and his flashes of genius. His goal came out of nowhere and if Lautaro Martinez had been able to finish his dinner in the second half than Argentina would have had a far more comfortable time of it in the latter stages. Scoring his first knockout goal at a World Cup was a fitting way for Messi to mark his 1000th competitive game.

Moment of the match: Let´s go with Behich´s slaloming run with the Australians a goal down and looking to tie the score at 2-2. It was a superb effort down the left flank and would undoubtedly have been one of the iconic moments of this World Cup had he finished it off. Unfortunately for Behich, the covering defender for Argentina was Lisandro Martinez, who made an incredible last-ditch challenge to deny a potentially great goal. 

xG: Argentina (1.77) 2-1 (0.52) Australia   

Stat of the day: Superbly denied by Emi Martinez at the death, Australian sub Garang Kuol has now only played 388 minutes of senior football for club and country.

Messi scores his 789th goal in his 1000th match and his first ever in a knockout game at a World Cup. His 9th World Cup goal takes him ahead of Maradona and one behind Batistuta. A moment of Messi magic amid a messy match.

— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) December 3, 2022