PLAYER RATINGS: Sublime Lionel Messi inspires Argentina
PLAYER RATINGS: Sublime Lionel Messi inspires Argentina past Australia…but Mat Ryan’s calamitous mistake costs Socceroos dearly
- REPORT: Lionel Messi inspires Argentina past battling Australia
- Messi scored his first goal in the knockout stage of a World Cup in 2-1 win
- Mat Ryan’s mistake allowed Julian Alvarez to score Argentina’s second
- Argentina will play the Netherlands in the quarter-finals on Friday
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
Lionel Messi marked the 1,000th game of his career in style as Argentina beat Australia 2-1 to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.
The Argentina skipper put his team ahead in the first half with a typically brilliant effort, as he scored his ninth World Cup goal and his first in the knockout stages of the tournament.
Julian Alvarez added a second 12 minutes after the break as he capitalised on a calamitous mistake from Aussie skipper Mat Ryan, before the Socceroos set up a grandstand finish as Enzo Alvarez deflected Craig Goodwin’s effort in his own net.
Lionel Messi was the best player on the pitch as Argentina beat Australia 2-1 on Saturday
Ultimately it was too little too late for Graham Arnold’s men, who head out with their heads held high, while Argentina will play the Netherlands in the quarter-finals on Friday in a repeat of their 1998 clash at the same stage.
Here’s who starred and who flopped for Argentina and Australia.
ARGENTINA
Emiliano Martinez – 6
Had very little of note to do until the 96th minute, when he produced a superb save to keep out Kuol’s effort.
Emiliano Martinez produced an outstanding save to deny Garang Kuol in the 96th minute
Marcus Acuna – 6.5
Kept Leckie in check and occasionally pushed forward to support Argentina’s attacks.
Cristian Romero – 7
Commanded Argentina’s back four expertly and was never troubled by Australia’s forwards.
Nicolas Otamendi – 6
Almost played Duke in with a careless back pass and was sent to a different postcode by Behich’s superb run. Relatively solid otherwise.
Nicolas Otamendi (right) was relatively solid at the back for Argentina, bar a major mistake
Nahuel Molina – 6.5
Was afforded acres of space down the right win in the first half, but rarely made the most of it. Near flawless defensively.
Rodrigo De Paul – 6.5
A tireless display. Pressed Ryan into making the mistake that led to Alvarez’s goal.
Enzo Fernandez – 6.5
Grew into the game as Argentina took control of the game. Was unlucky to score an own goal as Goodwin’s shot deflected off him.
Alexis Mac Allister – 7
A brilliant performance from the Brighton man. Involved in setting up Messi’s opener, was a livewire throughout.
Alexis Mac Allister (left) was involved in setting up Messi’s goal and was a livewire throughout
Papu Gomez – 5.5
Struggled to have an impact in the first 45 minutes, was hooked early in the second half.
Julian Alvarez – 7.5
Scored Argentina’s second, chased and harassed Australia’s defenders throughout. A constant thorn in the Socceroos’s side.
Lionel Messi – 8
Argentina needed a spark and he provided it yet again, with a sublime performance. Six months short of his 36th birthday, he remains at the peak of his powers.
Messi scored his ninth World Cup goal with a typically brilliant finish in the first half
SUBSTITUTES
Lisandro Martinez – 6
Didn’t put a foot wrong and put in a crucial block to deny Behich a near-certain equaliser.
Lautaro Martinez – 6
Could have a hat-trick, but pulled one chance wide, blazed another over the bar and was denied by Ryan on his third attempt.
Lautaro Martinez missed three superb chances in the second half after coming on
Nicolas Tagliafico – 6
Did little of note, but lost Kuol too easily in the move that almost led to Australia’s equaliser.
Exequiel Palacios – 6
A composed, if unspectacular, cameo as Argentina saw the game out.
Gonzalo Montiel – 6
Provided fresh legs at a time of need as Argentina stemmed Australia’s late surge
AUSTRALIA
Mat Ryan – 3.5
At fault for Alvarez’s goal as he was robbed of possession in comical fashion. Strong game otherwise, but his mistake effectively buried the Socceroos.
Mat Ryan’s mistake allowed Julian Alvarez to put Argentina 2-0 up in the second half
Milos Degenek – 5
Solid game. Unfortunate yellow card, but battled hard.
Harry Souttar – 6
Another strong game for the towering defender. Unfortunately for Australia, he couldn’t get in the way of Messi’s first strike.
Kye Rowles – 6
Made hardly any mistakes and gave his all. His pass back to Ryan put the keeper under pressure, but he can’t be blamed.
Aziz Behich – 4
Lost his cool in the 35th minute and gave away an unnecessary foul that led to the South Americans scoring. Almost scored with a superb solo run in the second half.
Aziz Behich almost equalised for Australia with a superb solo run late in the second half
Jackson Irvine – 5
Fought hard and picked up an early yellow that would have ruled him out of the quarter-final had the Socceroos made it.
Aaron Mooy – 6
Controlled the middle of the pitch well for the Socceroos – especially in the first half.
Keanu Baccus – 6
Put in a strong tackle on Messi early and didn’t look out of place in his first international to start.
Mathew Leckie – 5
Didn’t have the chance to shine. He had a great World Cup for the Socceroos otherwise.
Mathew Leckie was largely uninfluential against Argentina on Saturday night
Ryley McGree – 5.5
Had some good moments with the ball and played a solid game throughout.
Mitchell Duke – 5
Didn’t get a lot of ball, but did well putting pressure on Martinez twice and almost benefit from an Otamendi mistake.
SUBSTITUTES
Craig Goodwin – 8
Gave Australia a chance as his deflected shot ended up in the back of the net and looked electric on the ball.
Craig Goodwin gave Australia hope with a strike that took a deflection off Enzo Fernandez before beating Martinez in goal
Garang Kuol – 5
Almost equalised late in injury time, but it wasn’t to be.
Jamie Maclaren – 5
Ran hard and made a nuisance of himself while he was on the pitch.
Fran Karacic – 6
Didn’t make any mistakes and didn’t look out of place.
Ajdin Hrustic – 7
Had some great touches and looked dangerous on the ball.
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