Argentina vs Australia Highlights FIFA World Cup 2022: Messi's ARG beat AUS 2-1 to reach quarterfinals

So Messi stays for another week. Argentina stay for another week! The quest for World Cup glory continues for them as they beat Australia 2-1 to reach the quarter-final. They will face Netherlands next week for a place in the semis. 

Messi and Martinez continue to threaten Australia for a third goal, but Socceroos just cling on. 

ARG 2-1 AUS | 2nd HALF

Australia given seven more minutes to find the equaliser. 

ARG 2-1 AUS | 2nd HALF

Messi perfectly set it up. Couldn't do much more there. Passes to Martinez on the left side of the box. He looks to curl it in, but sends it well high. Messi is not happy there. 

ARG 2-1 AUS | 2nd HALF

Behich almost pulls a stunner. Dribbles extraordinarily through the Argentine defense, almost like Messi, and then cuts one last to slot in home before a defender gets in the way. He lies down in disbelief. Australia suddenly showing some intent here.  

ARG 2-1 AUS | 2nd HALF

GOOOOAAAAL!!! Goodwin fancied his luck from outside the box, from the left plank, and powered an effort that took a deflection of Martinez and went straight into the post. Huge slice of luck indeed for Australia

ARG 2-1 AUS | 2nd HALF

Argentina: Alvarez is replaced by Lautaro Martinez while Tagliafico comes in for Acuna

Australia: They make a triple change - Garang Kuol, Fran Karasic and Jamie Maclaren in for Degenek, Duke and Leckie

ARG 2-0 AUS | 2nd HALF

Argentina score a second goal as they close in on the quarterfinal spot. It's Julian Alvarez for Argentina. He was alert as he lurked near the Australia box before he snatched the ball from the keeper's feet and slotted him the second goal. 

ARG 2-0 AUS | 2nd HALF

The second half of the game begins. Can Argentina maintain the lead or will Australia manage to script a stunning turnaround?

It's half time at the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium. Messi's goal stands as the difference at break.  

Messi has now gone past Maradona for the most World Cup goals for Argentina. It was also his first ever goal in a World Cup knockout match. 

ARG 1-0 AUS | 1st HALF

There was always going to be one person to break that deadlock! WHAT A GOAL! Curled it through the defensive line and past the keeper to slot it into the far right. 1000th game it is and he puts Argentina ahead. 

ARG 1-0 AUS | 1st HALF

Australia are slowly starting to make an impact with their attack. Gets a second corner. Finds the player…almost gets it in before it finds the defender. OHH…an escape for Argentina

ARG 0-0 AUS | 1st HALF

Behich collects the ball inside the left flank and threatens to attack Argentina defense. He goes shoulder-to-shoukder with De Paul as looks to cross in, but runs out of pitch eventually.

ARG 0-0 AUS | 1st HALF

Gomez, the man who replaced Di Maria in the XI, falls short of the target. Lost his shape there a bit

ARG 0-0 AUS | 1st HALF

'Australia’s Irvine picks up the first yellow card in the game. Shoul Australia progress, he will miss the quarterfinal against Netherlands

ARG 0-0 AUS | 1st HALF

10 minutes into the game but no team has yet made a shot on target. Argentina are dictating the proceedings though with 72 per cent ball possession. 

ARG 0-0 AUS | 1st HALF

The second Round of 16 game gets underway at the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium. The winner will face Netherlands in the quarterfinals next week. 

It's time for the national anthem. Argentina will go first, followed by Australia. 

Alejandro Gomez replaced Di Maria in the starting XI as the striker was injured in the previous game. He however has a place in the bench.

Argentina Starting XI: Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Rodrigo De Paul, Marcos Acuna, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Alejandro Gomez, Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi (c)

Australia XI: Mathew Ryan, Milos Degenek, Kye Rowles, Harry Souttar, Aziz Behich, Keanu Baccus, Aaron Mooy, Jackson Irvine, Mathew Leckie, Mitch Duke, Riley McGree

Lionel Messi will be playing the 1000th game of his career today. 167 of those appearances have been for Argentina.