World Cup 2022: Lionel Messi scores, Argentina beat Australia 2-1

Lionel Messi marked his 1,000th professional match with his first World Cup play-off goal, taking Argentina to the quarter-finals with a 2-1 win against Australia on Saturday.

With his famous left foot kick in the 34th minute, Messi gave Argentina the lead, scoring the third goal of the tournament this year and ninth overall at the World Cup – one more than Diego Maradona.

Julián Álvarez latched on to a strong touch from Australian goalkeeper Matthew Ryan to score the second goal into an empty net as Argentina set up a meeting against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.

Australia scored a consolation goal in the 77th minute when Craig Goodwin’s shot deflected off Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez.

For the Australian team, made up of unknown players, it was a too long match at the World Cup, in which the team exceeded all expectations, reaching the playoffs for only the second time. Australia also lost in the round of 16 in 2006 to eventual champions Italy.

Maybe it’s an omen for Argentina, which bounced back from a shocking defeat to Saudi Arabia in their first group match and won three games in a row.

As for Messi, he now has 789 goals in a career that could still reach its peak on December 18, winning football’s biggest trophy at his fifth and probably last World Cup.