POBNEWS24, Dhaka, Dec 4, 2022 : Argentina sealed the last eight of the World Cup in Qatar by wowing the crowd with a spectacular, aesthetic display of football. Lionel Messi’s team defeated Australia 2-1 in the last sixteen match today. The first goal came from Messi’s feet. Messi’s aggressive, magical performance throughout the match.
From the start of the last sixteen match, the two teams continued to attack each other. But there was no goal. Despite holding 61 percent of the ball in the first 30 minutes of the match, Argentina could not take a single shot. Finally, waiting for the goal was over in the 35th minute. Captain Lionel Messi put Argentina ahead with a wonderful goal. At that moment, Messi himself took the free kick. An Aussie defender headed the ball back from the six yard box.
But Messi got the ball because he couldn’t clear the danger completely. He made a pass to Alastair and headed towards the goal post. De Paul’s leg turned and he gently touched the ball to Messi and sent it into the net. This is his first international goal against Australia. Not only that, this is the first goal of the Argentine star in the knock-out phase of the World Cup. Through this, Messi surpassed the legendary Diego Maradona as a goal scorer in the World Cup. With this, his goals in the World Cup are 9. Argentina ended the first half with a 1-0 lead.
From the beginning of the second half, Argentina attacked fiercely. Finding a great rhythm, Messi became unstoppable. Australia is busy managing the defence. Messi’s army repeatedly hit their defense in one attack after another. Finally, in the 57th minute, Alvarez’s goal doubled the gap for Argentina. De Paul took the ball from the opponent’s feet and sent Alvarez up. This Man City star did not make a mistake to put the ball in the Australian net with a bullet speed shot.
In the 77th minute, Enso Fernandes’ suicide goal gave hope to Australia. The match was almost tied in the 80th minute, with Argentina’s defense saving the game. After that, Argentina’s attack became more intense. Lautaro Martinez missed at least two chances in the last minute. Messi’s shot missed the target in the second minute of added time. Two minutes later, another great attack by Messi was blocked by the goalkeeper. Argentinian goalkeeper Martinez disappointed Ajid with an extraordinary save in the last minute.
