Argentina vs. Australia: Round of 16 Highlights from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Thrilling Matchup in Qatar

The knockout stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicked off with an electrifying clash between Argentina and Australia. The match was played at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on December 3, 2022.

First Half: A Cautious Battle

The first half started slowly, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances. Argentina seemed to hold the slight edge in possession and passing accuracy, but they lacked cutting edge in the final third. Australia, on the other hand, defended resolutely, denying the Argentine attackers any space.

Second Half: Messi Magic

The second half brought about a change in momentum. Lionel Messi, the Argentine captain, took the game by the scruff of its neck and created several chances for his side. In the 57th minute, he broke the deadlock with a sublime left-footed strike from outside the box.

Late Drama

Australia refused to give up and put pressure on the Argentine defense in the final 15 minutes. In the 77th minute, Craig Goodwin equalized with a deflected shot from long range. However, just minutes later, Julian Alvarez restored Argentina's lead with a close-range finish.

Argentina Advances

Despite a late scare when Aziz Behich almost equalized for Australia, Argentina held on to win the match 2-1. The victory sent them through to the quarter-finals, where they will face the Netherlands on December 9, 2022.