Argentina into the quarter final: Lionel Messi scored his first goal of the FIFA World Cup’s knockout stages as he led Argentina to a 2-1 victory over Australia in the Round of 16 of FIFA World Cup 2022. Evidently, this victory sets up a fascinating quarterfinal matchup with the Netherlands, who earlier defeated the United States with ease. Additionally, at Doha’s Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, the Argentina captain opened the scoring with his 789th goal to honour his 1,000th career appearance.
“It was a really physical game but I am very happy with the victory and that we have taken another little step forward” — Lionel Messi
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Lionel Messi scores his first goal in Knockout stage of FIFA World Cup
Lionel Messi, who was playing in his fifth World Cup but had never scored in a knockout game at the competition he is trying to win for the first time at the age of 35 produced a stunning finish. When Julian Alvarez doubled Argentina’s lead just before the hour mark by taking advantage of a goalkeeper error, it appeared as though Argentina would win easily.
However, an Australian team that had previously exceeded all predictions in Qatar at the FIFA World Cup 2022 by simply making it to the round of 16 lost valiantly. Only a last-ditch effort from Lisandro Martinez stopped Aziz Behich of Scotland’s Dundee United from scoring a spectacular late equaliser after a Craig Goodwin shot bounced in off Enzo Fernandez for an own goal.
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Can Lionel Messi’s Argentina go on to win the FIFA World Cup 2022?
One of the pre-tournament favorites, Argentina has since recovered from their opening-game defeat to Saudi Arabia to advance to the round of eight. The opening match to some extent punctured the hopes of Argentina lifting the FIFA World Cup 2022, but the recovery of Argentina has lit the fire again in the hearts of its loyal supporters. Additionally, the form in which Messi is a warning sign for the teams which are to face Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
Australia, meanwhile, is eliminated after failing to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time, but Graham Arnold’s Socceroos had a standout season.
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