FIFA World Cup 2022: Round of 16- 'Inevitable' Lionel Messi-magic blows Australia away in Qatar

Lionel Messi led side clashed with Australia in their Round of 16 match for a chance to get into the Quarterfinals of FIFA World Cup 2022. They have kept Messi's hope for a World Cup win alive. Let's see how the match panned out.

Argentina vs Australia

Australia came into the match with a 1-0 win over Denmark and had great hopes for a Quarterfinal qualification despite a mighty challenge ahead. They started defensively but soon grew into the game as they passed around Argentina.

The South American team, however, had a game plan and they stuck to it. Messi who is playing in his 5th World Cup opened the scoring with an inch-perfect pass into the goal in the 35th minute. Australia found no answers to Argentina's class as they ended the first half with 0-1.

The second half started the same way as the first had ended. Argentina grew even more confident. The game however was still 1-0 when a poor back pass from Australia and a brain fade from goalkeeper Mathew Ryan handed Julian Alvarez a goal for Argentina.

All seemed to go in Argentina's favour but Australia still kept their attack going and were even awarded for it when Goodwin's effort hit Enzo Fernandez's face and went into the goalpost in the 77th minute. Just five minutes later, Aziz Behich flew past Argentina's defense and went inches closer to 2nd goal.

In the end, the game was open on both ends as both teams went close to scoring a goal. Argentina however made sure to keep their lead and get into the Quarterfinal with a 2-1 win.