The Argentine team beat Australia 2-1 in the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar 2022 to get among the eight best teams in the contest and already think of the Netherlands as their next challenge. But beyond the result, the albiceleste gave an offensive football recital and defensive delivery that featured the 7-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi.
Argentina had the leadership and genius of the FC Barcelona legend, who directed the orchestra of his team scoring a great goal after 35 minutes that opened the way to the hard-fought victory for the team.
GOAT numbers đ pic.twitter.com/9PK2TxU857
âGOAL (@goal) December 3, 2022
Although the first half was not brilliant for the two-time world champion, it is no less true that the South American team could score up to 4 goals if Lautaro MartĂnez hits a couple of clear chances that Messi handed to him on a silver platter.
South American “mischief” also saw them travel to the quarter-finals, as double pressure on goalkeeper Mathew Ryan saw Manchester City striker JuliĂĄn Ălvarez score Argentina’s second goal in the 57th minute.
Enzo FernĂĄndez’s own goal brought Australia to life in the 77th minute, but it was nothing more than an accident. Argentina was much superior and the score was a mere mirage. And it is that they could have been more goals.
Messi put Argentina ahead with this “pass to the net” at 35 minutes đ„
The Albiceleste beat Australia 1-0.
(@FOXSoccer)pic.twitter.com/oBHp0rVynV
â FanSided ES (@FanSided_ES) December 3, 2022
Emiliano MartĂnez also had his. The Argentina goalkeeper parried a last shot from Garang Kuol that would have been the equalizer late in added time. But it was not.
If Messi keeps playing like this, Argentina is unstoppable.
