FIFA World Cup 2022: Round of 16- Lionel Messi's majestic performance against Australia takes Argentina into the Quarterfinal

FIFA World Cup 2022 (Image source: Twitter)

Lionel Messi-led Argentina have moved past Australia in the FIFA World Cup 2022 and has become the second team to get into the quarterfinal. Let's look at how the game panned out.

Argentina vs Australia (2-1)

Argentina came into the game with a statement win against Poland in their last match. Messi looked on the front foot from the word get-go as he created chances upon chances. In the 35th minute, he broke the deadlock and produced a great goal.

The South American team then held onto their lead in the first half and began the second with the same intensity. Australia however also came in with renewed motivation and looked like scoring but a poor pass from their defense and a mistake from the goalkeeper gifted another goal to 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.

As a result of this win, Argentina have moved onto the quarterfinal and Australia will have to take a flight home as their FIFA World Cup 2022 campaign has ended.

Messi, playing in his 1000th game came up with a masterful performance as he completed the game with a 90% pass accuracy. He also had the most touches in the opposition box (9), created the most chances (6), had two shots on target, and produced one important goal as well.

Argentina have now joined the Netherlands in the quarterfinal and keep Messi's World Cup hopes still alive.