Our 3️⃣ points after Messi-inspired Argentina squeeze past Australia | OneFootball

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Joel Sanderson-Murray·3 December 2022

Our 3️⃣ points after Messi-inspired Argentina squeeze past Australia

Article image:Our 3️⃣ points after Messi-inspired Argentina squeeze past Australia

Argentina set up a quarter-final clash with the Netherlands after beating Australia on Saturday.

Here are our three main takeaways from the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.


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Messi makes the difference

Article image:Our 3️⃣ points after Messi-inspired Argentina squeeze past Australia

Australia’s plan was working for the first 35 minutes.

Graham Arnold’s men turned up and put 11 men behind the ball looking to frustrate Argentina and see what they can muster up on the counter-attack down the other end.

And despite over 70% of possession and over 300 passes, Argentina didn’t look like breaking down their opponents, mustering up just one shot.

But there was to be one more shot in the first half and unfortunately for the Socceroos it fell to the player that had put away 788 of his previous attempts before today.

The official stats listed the goal as a shot but this was more of a pass by Messi which was expertly stroked into the bottom corner in the most casual manner.

It was surprisingly the first time that he has scored in a World Cup knockout game but the strike now takes him above Diego Maradona for goals scored in the competition.

Game-changing goals, match-winning interventions, Messi has been doing this for 1,000 games. Will there be three more in an Argentina shirt added to his roster before the end of December?


Socceroos are bouncing

Article image:Our 3️⃣ points after Messi-inspired Argentina squeeze past Australia

So, the World Cup journey ends for the Socceroos.

But for many from the land down under this will be a tournament that will live long in the memory after their team reached the last-16 for only the second time in their history.

Arnold and his men have inspired a nation who are usually more likely to have their eye on the rugby or cricket but as Bob Dylan once said, the times they are a-changing.

The Australian supporters in Qatar and back home appear to have taken to this tournament more than previous offerings and suddenly the future of Australian football has a shinier outlook.

The stories of the World Cup aren’t just about who lifts the trophy at the end or who scores the most goals. Sometimes its about a team capturing the imagination of a nation. Aaron Mooy, Jackson Irvine and co look to have done just that.


How far can Argentina go?

Article image:Our 3️⃣ points after Messi-inspired Argentina squeeze past Australia

Just how good are Argentina?

Billed as one of the pre-tournament favourites after coming to Qatar on the back of a 35-match unbeaten run, they were stunned in their opening game after losing to Saudi Arabia.

Three straight wins have followed over Mexico, Poland and now Australia but they have not looked entirely convincing in each of their victories and ended up clinging on against a far inferior side tonight.

But this is a team riding the emotional wave of potentially Messi’s last tournament and the narrative that comes with it.

And although they have made hard work of encounters with sides with less talent there have been positives. Enzo Fernandez dictated the tempo tonight, Julian Álvarez bagged another goal and Emí Martínez proved he can be relied upon after a match-winning save in the 97th minute.

If there was ever a time to peak in a tournament it is coming up with Louis van Gaal’s patient and crafty Netherlands side awaiting them on Friday.

There will need to be an improvement if their greatest ever player is going lift the greatest prize of all.