Messi’s teammate and friend Rodrigo De Paul on his captain’s game
“Leo’s game? What to say? I have no words. It was his 1,000th game, he is 35 years old…Football is getting more and more powerful, physical, and it is still the best. I can only admire him, thank him for absorbing all the pressure to let us play in peace. For us, it’s a great joy to have him by our side.”
Messi: ‘We have to stay united’
“It was a very physical match. Very happy with this victory. It’s one more step, savored Lionel Messi on Argentine television. We wanted to be here to feel what people feel, what they transmit to us We have to stay united. It was a controlled match, we could have sealed it. Apart from their last strike, which Dibu (Martinez, the Argentine goalkeeper) deflected, we didn’t suffer too much.”
ARGENTINA JOINS THE NETHERLANDS IN THE 1/4 FINALS!
It’s over at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium! Argentina join the Netherlands in the quarter-finals after their difficult victory over Australia 2-1! Well launched by Messi, the Argentines even made the break thanks to Alvarez but were scared with the reduction of the Socceroos score. It was hot until the end but Messi’s partners continue their World Cup adventure.
THE MATCH BALL FOR AUSTRALIA
The Argentinians were very hot since Kuol almost scored with his back to goal! Martinez makes a classy save, it was the match point for Australia!
MESSI CAN’T FIND THE FRAME!
Since Martinez does not score, Messi wants to drive the point home with a curling shot that grazes Ryan’s skylight!
Behind Lautaro still comes up against Ryan who pushes back on Messi but the Pulga does not fit!
RYAN’S PARADE!
Another huge opportunity for Lautaro Martinez who sends a left foot praline into Ryan’s goal! This time it’s on target but the goalkeeper pushes back!
LAUTARO MISSES THE TARGET!
Magnificent action by Lionel Messi who occupies three defenders and perfectly shifts Lautaro Martinez! El Toro takes it in one touch but sends the ball well above Ryan’s goals!
There will be seven minutes of additional time!
Lautaro misses his shot
After a good sequence of possession, De Paul manages to find Lautaro Martinez in depth! The Inter player continues with a cross shot but it’s missed!
Argentina try to cut the pace
We can say that the Albiceleste seems very worried about this end of the match. Suddenly, she tries to spin the ball and walks to perform any action.
Argentina on the decline
Like what, nothing is done in these knockout matches! After the Australian goal, Argentina is now struggling to project forward and has even lost possession!
BUT WHAT BEHICH FESTIVAL!
But what did the Australian side do to us? He dribbles alone and eliminates four Argentines before continuing with a left foot strike, narrowly countered by Martinez!
More changes for Argentina
Two new changes with the arrivals of Palacios and Montiel! They replace Molina and Mac Allister, transparent tonight.
THE AUSTRALIAN SCORE REDUCTION!
Incredible scenario in this match with the reduction of the Australian score! Behich overflows but his cross is sent back in front of the surface… Goodwin shoots on goal but it’s countered and the trajectory deceives Ryan! 2 to 1!
Tagliafico can’t find the frame
Found perfectly by Martinez (who is literally cut up by Irvine), Tagliafico tries a cross shot from a tight angle but it’s just too cross!
Triple change for the Socceroos
Duke, Degenek and Leckie give way to Kuol, McLaren and Karacic for Australia!
Double change for Argentina
Lionel Scaloni makes two new changes in this meeting to rest his executives. Tagliafico and Lautaro Martinez replace Alvarez, scorer tonight, and Acuna!
What a center of Acuna!
Found on the left thanks to a one-two with Messi, Marcos Acuna sends a perfect cross to the penalty spot but no one can cut the trajectory!
What a festival of Messi
Starting from the midfield, Lionel Messi eliminates three-four players in speed, hooks and with a counter but fails to shoot on goal! The public is delirious!
Australia return to the opposition
Huge tackle from Romero on Duke but he doesn’t take a yellow card. It will be an interesting free kick for the Aussies!
Argentina has one foot in the quarters
This time the carrots are almost done for Australia with this big mistake from Ryan! Argentina has a foot and a half in the quarter-finals and will be able to start spinning!
THE BUUUUUT OF JULIAN ALVAREZ!
But what a monstrous mistake by Mat Ryan who is trying to kick things off again! He is taken by two Argentinians and tries to dribble instead of clearing! He gets the ball stolen by Alvarez who finishes the job very quickly!
Not much pace
Since the start of the second period, the two teams have not breathed a frantic pace and the match has lost its consistency.
Messi close to cheating on Ryan
Found at the entrance to the area, Messi slips but manages to hit the goal! It is countered by Degenek but it does not deceive Ryan who finally left on the right side.
First change for the Albiceleste
First change for Argentina with the release of Papu Gomez! He is replaced by Lisandro Martinez!
100% Argentinian owned
The Albiceleste has once again set foot on the ball and leaves no crumbs for Australia!
Here we go again for the second period!
Will Australia manage to equalize or will Argentina drive the point home in the second half?
MESSI GUIDES ARGENTINA TO THE QUARTER-FINALS!
It’s the break at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium! Argentina leads 1 to 0 against Australia on a goal from Lionel Messi and is slowly heading towards the quarter-finals! Long contained by the defensive block of the Aussies, the Albiceleste found the solution, as very often, with a goal from their captain Messi. We do not see how the Socceroos will be able to equalize!
Big sole on Messi
Lionel Messi rolls on the ground after a big sole from Souttar on the Argentinian. But it was completely unintentional!
Argentina did the hardest
It’s a real blow for Australia who thought they were going to the locker room with a draw. Argentina did the hardest part!
Degenek takes his yellow
New yellow card for Australia after a contact in the air from Degenek on Acuna! The right side is therefore logically warned.
MESSI’S BUUUUUUUT!
For his 1000th career match, Lionel Messi manages to deceive Ryan after a lightning action! He first finds De Paul in the axis who gives him the ball and the Pulga finishes the job with a flat foot! 1 to 0 for Argentina!
Messi warms up with Behich
Messi comes to put pressure on Behich and pulls his jersey a lot! It pushes and insults each other, but everyone takes their place.
Messi lonely in the middle
Argentina tries to find Messi right in the middle but the brilliant Argentinian is systematically taken by two or three defenders!
Soutar higher than everyone
Another corner taken and Souttar wins with a header! His headbutt is narrowly stopped by an Argentinian defender. Be careful, the Albiceleste is starting to fall asleep.
Australia sets up
As strange as it may seem, Australia has been investing the Argentinian camp for a few minutes and gets its second corner!
australia waste
Corner shot by Aaron Mooy and the ball is returned by Otamendi! The ball comes back but it’s not shot well enough…
Di Maria is finally forfeited
Angel Di Maria is finally forfeited, he is not in uniform and does not warm up.
Aussie possession streak
Australia establishes a long possession and even allows itself to run Argentina! The Socceroos go up the ball so well that they get a corner!
Behich jostled in the box
Well launched in the area by Irvine, Behic is in the fight with De Paul who seems to push him with his arm! The referee does not flinch!
Gomez takes the long shot
Shifted by Messi, Papu Gomez transplants inside and continues with a powerful strike with the right foot… It is very largely above!
Yellow card for Irvine
Very big sole from Jackson Irvine on Acuna and the Australian immediately takes a yellow card! It’s the first of the game.
Australia doesn’t make mistakes
The Australian compact block has not made any false note since the start of the match. Offensively, it’s already more complicated to cross the center line.
Missed control of Messi!
Papu Gomez works his opposite and tries to find Messi at the entrance to the surface but the Pulga misses his control!
Messi finds himself very low
For the moment, Lionel Messi is looking for the balls low enough to try to organize the game. He takes a big buffer from Baccus!
Duke’s big sole on Fernandez
Fernandez remains on the ground after an unintentional sole from Mitchell Duke. The Argentinians immediately raise at the foot.
The Aussies wait for the ball
The Australian defensive block occupies its entire camp without parking the bus! It’s paying off at the moment as Argentina are clamoring for a hand close to the box.
Australia press high
The Socceroos have decided to press high on the first Argentinian raises! Be careful not to burn too many cartridges quickly.
ARGENTINA-AUSTRALIA KICK OFF!
And here we go for this second round of 16 between Argentina and Australia! A formality for the partners of Lionel Messi who is celebrating his 1000th career match?
The two teams arrive on the lawn
Argentinians and Australians have just entered the lawn of Ahmad bin Ali Stadium! Immediately the anthems of the two teams!
Australia lineup
Ryan – Degenek, Rowles, Souttar, Aziz Behich – Mooy, Irvine, McGree – Baccus, Duke, Leckie.
The Argentinian lineup
As expected, Papu Gomez replaces Angel Di Maria.
Martínez – Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuña – De Paul, Fernández, Mac Allister – Gómez, Messi, Álvarez.
Eighth night for Lionel Messi
Hi there ! Welcome to this direct dedicated to the second round of 16 of the World Cup, Argentina-Australia. Lionel Messi’s band, who were very scared in the group stage after their defeat against Saudi Arabia, then reassured themselves by finishing at the top of their group. She will face the surprising Socceroos, second in the group of Blues. Kick off at 8 p.m.!