Messi’s magic carries Argentina to the World Cup quarter-finals
video goals: Argentina – Australia – Played on 12/03/2022
Argentina continued its adventure in the Qatar World Cup, by qualifying for the quarter-finals after defeating Australia (2-1), this evening, Saturday, in the match that was held at Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium.
Argentina duo Lionel Messi scored in the 35th minute and Julian Alvarez in the 57th minute, while Australia’s only goal was scored by Enzo Fernandez by mistake in the 77th minute.
Argentina will thus set a quarter-final date against the Netherlands, which earlier today beat the United States.
The first attempt in the match came in favor of Argentina, with a shot from Gomez from the edge of the area in the 17th minute, which went wide of the goal.
With the passage of time, Australia began to gain confidence and advanced to the attacking side, and appeared for the first time by ascending to Sotar for a cross from a corner kick in the 29th minute, with a header that collided with Romero’s feet.
Argentina opened the scoring in the 35th minute, after Otamendi paved the ball for Messi inside the area, and the latter hit a curved ball that hit the net.
Despite Argentina’s progress, this did not give them the confidence to advance further to the attack, nor did it free Australia to move forward in order to adjust the score, to end the first half with Argentina’s lead (1-0).
Argentina started the second half strongly, with a shot from Messi from the edge of the area in the 50th minute, which Ryan caught.
Argentina added the second goal in the 57th minute, after a fatal mistake by goalkeeper Ryan, who tried to dodge the duo of De Paul and Alvarez, so the latter killed it and scored easily into the net.
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Messi continued to lead all attacks for Argentina, with another shot from outside the penalty area in the 67th minute, which went wide of the goal.