Argentina vs Australia final score, result: Messi stars as brave Socceroos bow out of World Cup

Tim Oscroft

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Argentina vs Australia final score, result: Messi stars as brave Socceroos bow out of World Cup image

Lionel Messi inspired Argentina into the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup after another superb display in his 1,000th game that saw a valiant Australia side go out despite a late rally.

Messi opened the scoring in the first half after Argentina had struggled to break down the resilient Socceroos, curling a left-footed shot into the bottom corner after starting the move with a sprint into the area.

An error by Australia keeper Mat Ryan presented Julian Alvarez with a simple chance to make it 2-0 after 57 minutes, seemingly to put Argentina out of reach.

But a freakishly deflected goal gave the Australians hope late on, Craig Goodwin's shot bouncing in off Enzo Fernandez. Aziz Behich's weaving run into the box was ended by a great tackle by Lisandro Martinez, and in the 97th minute, Garang Kuol's shot was saved at close range by Emi Martinez.

Argentina were good value for their win, but Australia left the tournament with heads held high.

The Sporting News was tracking live scoring updates and highlights for Argentina vs Australia at the 2022 World Cup. See below for the complete commentary from the Round of 16 match in Qatar.

MORE: World Cup quarterfinals: Teams qualified, bracket, schedule, fixtures and how it works

Argentina vs Australia final score

  1H 2H Final
Argentina 1 2 2
Australia 0 1 1

Goals:
ARG — Lionel Messi — 34 mins
ARG — Julian Alvarez — 57 mins
ARG — Craig Goodwin — 76 mins

Confirmed lineups:

(4-3-3, right to left): 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 26. Molina, 13. Romero, 19. Otamendi, 8. Acuna — 7. De Paul, 24. Fernandez, 20. Mac Allister  — 17. Gomez, 10. Messi, 9. Alvarez

(4-3-3, right to left): 1. Ryan (GK) — 2.  Degenek, 19. Souttar, 4. Rowles, 16. Behich —  26. Bacchus, 13. Mooy, 22. Irvine, 7. Leckie, 15. Duke, 14. McGree

MORE: Watch every World Cup match live with fuboTV (U.S.-only free trial)

Argentina 2-1 Australia commentary, highlights from 2022 World Cup

Full time!

All over and Argentina are through, but Australia should be very proud of themselves after a stirring campaign!

96 mins: Garang Kuol goes so close!

The teenager spins around from an angle and shoots, but Emi Martinez makes a fantastic block with his chest!

95 mins: It is all action, with Lautaro Martinez and Lionel Messi having more shots blocked by desperate Aussie defending.

93 mins: Seconds later, and Lionel Messi curls a shot just past the post. There's never any let up from this fella.

92 mins: Lautaro Martinez shoots low but Mat Ryan's left leg denies him.

90 mins: Still time for a shock - there will be seven minutes added on.

89 mins: Harry Souttar and Emi Martinez have a set-to after a high ball is collected. Sottar is 6 foot 6 - I wouldn't ness with him...

87 mins: Lautaro Martinez rolls the ball across the face of goal, but there's no-one there to convert. Seconds later, brilliance from Lionel Messi gives Lautaro Martinez the chance to score, but his shot is miles off target.

85 mins: Argentina have kept the ball well to take the air of Australia's balloon. If they are going out, the Socceroos can be very proud of themselves.

78 mins: What a run from Aziz Behich! He drives into the box and looks to be pulling the trigger when a brilliant tackle from Lisandro Martinez saves the day!

This match looked over, it's alive, alive I tell you!

76 mins: GOOOOOAAAAALLLL!!! Craig Goodwin pulls one back!

It might go in as an own goal, as Goodwin's shot was going wide but it deflected in off Enzo Fernandez. 

Australia are back in this!

Watch in USA:

In the UK:

In Australia:

73 mins: Lautaro Martinez, on for Julian Alvarez , looks to be homing in on a long ball pumped forward for a second. Another substitution saw Nicolas Tagliafico replace Marcos Acuna.

70 mins: Australian legend Tim Cahill is pictured looking disconsolate in the stands - the Socceroos could do with his bite and aggression now.

67 mins: There will be at least one more Lionel Messi match at a World Cup, at this rate - and there could be a couple more after that on this form.

64 mins: Lionel Messi weaves into the area but an outstretched leg from Milos Degenek does the job - just.

61 mins: Australia brought on Craig Goodwin and Ajdin Hrustic for Riley McGree and Keanu Baccus, they have to go for it now but to be honest it looks a lost cause. Argentina are purring now.

2-0 to Argentina! Julian Alvarez after a howler from Mat Ryan!

The Australian keeper tried to be clever with the ball at his feet, but Rodrigo De Paul did well to pressurise him and then when it squirted out to him, the City striker could not fail to score from there!

Game over?

Watch in USA:

In the UK:

In Australia:

53 mins: Nicolas Otamendi's ball back to the keeper is slack and Mitch Duke races in on goal, but Emiliano Martinez hoofs it clear just in time.

50 mins: Lionel Messi shoots from just outside the area, but he slips as he shoots and Mat Ryan collects easily.

49 mins: It is looking very easy at the moment for Argentina, who then replace Alejandro Gomez with Lisandro Martinez

46 mins: We are back under way, no changes from either side as yet.

Half-time: That was Lionel Messi's first goal in the knockout phase of a World Cup. Cometh the hour, cometh the man.

If you're in Australia, here's the Messi goal:

Take a look if you are in the UK:

Messi's goal - available in the US only:

Half-time: Australia end the half on the attack, but the teams walk off with Lionel Messi giving the crowd a clenched fist as he heads down the tunnel. After his wonderful moment of skill, he's entitled.

44 mins: Julian Alvarez chases down the ball as it is passed across Mat Ryan in the sx yard box, then harries the Australian defence as they try to clear.

41 mins: Australia have to chase the game now, not what they were set up for, while Argentina have been boosted by their talisman's moment of magic. 

36 mins: Yellow card - Milos Degenek is booked for a hand in the face of Marcos Acuna.

GOOOOAAAALLLLLLL! Lionel Messi! Who else???

The little genius starts the move, he races into the area and collects a touch from Nicolas Otamendi before sliding a left-footed shot past Mat Ryan's right hand and low into the net. Brilliant, brilliant stuff.

31 mins: Aaron Mooy wastes a chance by overhitting a free kick into the Argentine area. Australia will have to make the most of the rare chances they get, but they are growing in confidence.

30 mins: The decibel level goes up as Lionel Messi gets the ball 25 meters out, but four Australians snuff him out.

28 mins: Another Australia corner, and Harry Souttar gets his head to it - it lacks power and is cleared, but credit to the Socceroos for getting into the danger area.

26 mins: Of course, Aaron Mooy and Nicolas Otamendi technically were team mates at Man City, except Mooy was farmed out on loan. Aziz Behich tries to barge into the box but three Argentinean shirts thwart him.

24 mins: Australia get the first corner of the night, but Aaron Mooy's curling effort is nodded away by Nicolas Otamendi with ease.

22 mins: Argentina have yet to play like the hot favourites they are on paper, and Australia have enjoyed some lengthy spells on the ball in the last few minutes.

18 mins: Attacking intent from the Aussies at last! Jackson Irvine feeds Aziz Behich and he muscles his way to the bye-line before taking the ball out of play, signs of promise for the underdogs.

15 mins: Yellow card - Jackson Irvine earns a booking for a niggly foul right on top of Marcos Acuna's foot, and will mis the quarter-final if his side get there with a secind yellow of the tournament.

14 mins: Mitch Duke and Riley McGree up front have hardly been in the same time zone as the ball so far for Australia.

9 mins: That's a rare sight - Lionel Messi mis-controls it on the edge of the box and Aaron Mooy takes it away. Then Julian Alvarez clatters Aziz Behich near the touchline but the referee allows it to continue.

7 mins: Keanu Bacchus lets Lionel Messi know he is around with a strong challenge.

5 mins: Australia are sitting very deep and letting Argentina knock it around, they will be looking to hit on the break as and when they get the chance.

3 mins: The ball strikes Keanu Bacchus on the arm on the edge of the box - Argentina are claiming a penalty but the referee ignores their protests. It was from very close range, but they have been given.

2 mins: Very cagey so far, and early throw for the Australians near the Argentine box was repelled and since then the men in blue and white have played keep-ball.

Kickoff: And we're off with Australia getting us under way! Huge backing for Argentina inside the stadium, the Aussies really will be up against it.

3 mins to kickoff: The anthems are done, we are all set! 

5 mins to kickoff: The teams are emerging, and we get a close-up of Jackson Irvine's impressive moustache as he saunters past  the camera in the tunnel.

10 mins to kickoff: "It is one thing to get to the top, it's another to stay there. Those numbers are bonkers," says Alan Shearer on the BBC coverage in the UK regarding Lionel Messi, who plays his 1,000th game tonight.

15 mins to kickoff: The teams are nearing the end of their warm-ups, we are getting nearer to crunch time!

30 mins to kickoff: Messi arrives (available in US only)

35 mins to kickoff: Australia are so often hot favourites in the World Cup in other sports - cricket, rugby union and rugby league - it is unusual for them to be underdogs here. But they will be and they have a huge task ahead of them - but this World Cup has thrown up some suprises so far, time for another?

40 mins to kickoff: The main man is in the house...

1 hr to kickoff: Australia bring in Keanu Bacchus for Craig Goodwin, while Argentina bring in Papu Gomez for the injured Angel Di Maria up front.

 

1 hr 30 mins to kickoff: The Opera House lit up in support of the Socceroos - a fine sight, day or night!

1 hr 50 mins to kickoff: The Socceroos kept two clean sheets in a row leading into today, they have proved to be a tough nut to crack so far.

Joakim Maehle of Denmark takes on Milos Degenek of Australia
SN/Getty Images

2 hrs 15 mins to kickoff: It'll be early on Sunday morning Down Under, but there will be a big TV audience for this match, that's for sure.

3 hrs from kickoff: Every Argentina game is a potential "goodbye to Messi" event, but the great man went past Maradona in the win over Poland - he now has the most appearances in the World Cup finals for his country with 22.

Lionel Messi - Argentina - World Cup 2022
(Getty Images)

4 hrs from kickoff: These two have a bit of history, with Argentina - featuring the legend that was Diego Maradona - claiming their place at the 1994 World Cup with a 2-1 aggregate win over the Socceroos in a playoff.

 

 

5 hrs from kickoff: Welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of this huge Round of 16 matchup between Argentina and Australia as the knockout stages get underway today at Qatar 2022! This one promises to be a fascinating game, as the surprise package of Group D, the Socceroos of Australia, go up against arguably the greatest player of all time in Lionel Messi, looking to keep his World Cup dream alive. Australia are most certainly the underdog, but then again, this has been a World Cup of shocks so far. Can they provide another one? Stay with us as we bring you all the build-up and action over the next few hours!

Argentina vs Australia lineups, team news

Argentina projected (4-3-3, right to left): 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 4. Montiel, 25. L. Martinez, 19. Otamendi, 3. Tagliafico — 7. De Paul, 24. Fernandez, 20. Mac Allister  — 17. Gomez, 10. Messi, 9. Alvarez

With so little time to prepare, changes are likely for Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, though he will be reluctant to make too many alterations to a side that dominated against Poland.

With Cristian Romero's fitness being managed, he could drop out for Lisandro Martinez, while Nicolas Tagliafico and Gonzalo Montiel could benefit from any freshening up at full-back.

Lautaro Martinez is in contention for a start up front but it would be difficult to leave out Julian Alvarez after his goal last time out. There could also be a late change to the forward line: Angel Di Maria is said to be short of full fitness, meaning Alejandro Gomez could come in.

Australia projected (4-4-1-1, right to left): 1. Ryan (GK) — 2  Degenek, 19. Souttar, 4. Rowles, 16. Behich — 7. Leckie, 13. Mooy, 22. Irvine, 11. Mabil — 10. Hrustic — 15. Duke. 

Australia's only lineup changes in Qatar so far have come at right-back, with Fran Karacic replacing Nathaniel Atkinson against Tunisia before Milos Degenek started in that position against Denmark. 

Based on his strong performance last time out, Degenek has a strong chance of retaining his spot, providing he is fit enough to go again. 

Changes further up the field seem more likely based on the short turnaround, with No.10 Ajdin Hrustic yet to start a match at this World Cup and looking like a good option to freshen up the side at the expense of Riley McGree. 

Craig Goodwin was replaced at half-time against Denmark to cast some doubt over whether he'll start against Argentina, with Awer Mabil looming as a good alternative if needed. 

Argentina vs Australia live stream, TV channel

This Round of 16 clash will be played at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. Here's how you can watch all the action in some of the major global territories.

  Date Time TV Channel Streaming
USA Sat, Dec. 3 14:00 ET Fox,
Telemundo		 fuboTV,
Fox Sports site/app,
Telemundo Deportes site/app,
Peacock
Canada Sat, Dec. 3 14:00 ET TSN 1, CTV, RDS (French) TSN site/app, CTV app
RDS app
UK Sat, Dec. 3 19:00 GMT BBC One BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website
Australia Sun, Dec. 4 06:00 AEDT SBS SBS On Demand
India Sun, Dec. 4 00:30 IST Sports 18 Voot, JioTV
Hong Kong Sun, Dec. 4 03:00 HKT Now TV (Ch. 616, 618) Now TV
Malaysia Sun, Dec. 4 03:00 MYT Astro FIFA World Cup 1 Astro GO
Singapore Sun, Dec. 4 03:00 SGT StarHub TV FIFA World Cup, Singtel FIFA World Cup 141 Singtel TV GO, CAST,
StarHub TV+, MeWatch
New Zealand Sun, Dec. 4 08:00 NZDT Sky Sport 7 beIN Sports Sky Go, Sky Sport NOW

Watch the match on fuboTV in USA

Tim Oscroft

Tim Oscroft Photo

Tim joined The Sporting news as a live blogger ahead of the 2022 World Cup. He first worked in sport for Sky Sports' online division in the U.K, helping support a number of Premier League club websites before working for Manchester City for seven eventful years. He also occasionally helps out with BBC Sport online on football, cricket and rugby union.