World Cup: Superb Messi fires Argentina to quarter-finals

Lionel Messi starred as Argentina progressed to the quarter-finals of the World Cup with a 2-1 win over Australia on Saturday.

Messi marked the 1,000th senior game of his career with a measured finish for the breakthrough goal late in the first half, and Mat Ryan’s error allowed Julian Alvarez to double the advantage early in the second.

There were late scares for Argentina after Craig Goodwin’s shot deflected in off Enzo Fernandez, and it needed a dramatic tackle from Lisandro Martinez and a fine save from Emiliano Martinez for them to hold on.

It was a spirited effort from Graham Arnold’s side, who can be proud of their tournament, but it is Messi and Argentina who will face the Netherlands in the last eight.

Argentina have progressed from five of their last six round of 16 matches at the World Cup, the only exception during this run coming in 2018 against eventual champions France.

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The round of 16 remains the furthest stage that Australia have ever reached at the World Cup, also eliminated at this point of the competition in 2006 against Italy, who went on to lift the trophy.

Julian Alvarez became the sixth player to score in each of their first two World Cup starts for Argentina, and the first to do so since Hernan Crespo in 2006.

Lionel Messi scored in the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time for Argentina, with his previous eight goals in the competition all coming during the group stage.

Only Gabriel Batistuta (10) has scored more World Cup goals for Argentina than Messi (9).

Messi made his 1000th career appearance in this match for Argentina (169), Barcelona (778), and Paris Saint-Germain (53).

He has 789 goals and 338 assists, while Australia were the 129th team he has scored against in his career.

The Star