The 50th match of the Qatar 2022 pitted Argentina against Australia at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, but all thoughts of a giant killing feat were extinguished as Argentina scored a goal in each half to qualify for their seventh World Cup quarterfinal match.
A goal by Lionel Messi in the 40th minute and a gift accepted by Julian Alvarez in the 57th minute ensured Argentina booked a date against the Netherlands next Friday.
Australia held their own at the beginning; playing a low block and denying Argentina space in behind their defence. But when Messi pressed Aziz Behich and won a throw-in, that saw some frayed nerves. From the throw, Behich clattered into Papu Gomez to concede the free kick from which the goal culminated.
