Australia is out of the 2022 World Cup following a 2-1 defeat to Argentina in a Round of 16 match played at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Saturday, December 3.
The 2021 Copa Americans enjoyed greater possession, but the Socceroos kept pushing and almost had a chance to score in the 29th minute.
Argentina took the lead in the 35th minute after Lionel Messi’s fine low curling shot from inside the box which Australia’s goalkeeper Matt Ryan was unable to get a hold on.
It was Messi’s 9th goal at a World Cup tournament and he has now surpassed legend Diego Maradona, who had 8 goals to his name in the World Cup.
It was also PSG star’s first goal in the knockout stage. The goal made him the second-highest scorer for Argentina in World Cups, only one goal behind Gabriel Batistuta.
In the second half, Julian Alvarez took advantage of a blunder made by Ryan, to give Argentina its second goal in the match.
Australia thought they had a late lifeline when Craig Goodwin’s deflected effort found the back of the net, but it wasn’t enough as the game ended 2-1.
Argentina will be facing Netherlands in a quarterfinal match that will be played on December 10.