Argentina survived late Australia pressure to book their place in the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-finals, with Lionel Messi marking his 1,000th career game with a goal in the 2-1 win.
Messi produced a moment of brilliance to open the scoring at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, which was brimming with loud Argentina fans.
The 35-year-old captain was making his 119th appearance for Argentina and he came through for his country against difficult opponents who almost snatched a late equaliser.
Argentina had barely threatened in the first half against a defensive Australia side, but the Paris St-Germain forward passed the ball into the net through the legs of defenders in a crowded box to give his side the lead in the 35th minute.
Australia were no pushovers and they caused Argentina some problems as they sought the equaliser, but it was the South Americans who scored again.
Julian Alvarez punished Mat Ryan’s mistake to double their advantage in the 57th minute, as the Australia goalkeeper dallied on the ball and got his pocket picked by the energetic Rodrigo De Paul.
Australia had offered very little going forward after conceding the second goal, but they surprisingly pulled one back with 13 minutes left when substitute Craig Goodwin’s strike took a huge deflection off Enzo Fernandez, who got credited with an own goal.
Messi revelled in the space Australia left in behind in search of the equaliser and the Argentina captain set up Lautaro Martinez twice for what should be simple finishes but the Inter Milan striker missed both times.
Argentina almost paid for those Martinez misses when Aziz Behich’s superb solo run nearly resulted in a late goal before it was blocked by Lisandro Martinez’s sliding challenge.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez then made a last-gasp save as Argentina edged through to a quarter-final appointment with The Netherlands on Friday.
