After the euphoria of beating Denmark 1-0 to progress from the World Cup group stage for just the second time in history, Australia had to wait to find out who they’d be facing in the Round of 16.
Several hours later, Argentina had emerged as the Group C victors, setting the Socceroos on course for a clash with arguably the greatest player of all time in Lionel Messi.
Among the pre-tournament favourites, Argentina suffered a shock loss to Saudi Arabia in their first match before bouncing back with 2-0 wins over Mexico and Poland to steady the ship.
Messi, in all likelihood at his final World Cup, had a penalty saved by Polish keeper Wojciech Szczesny but goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez in the second half got them over the line.
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The two-time World Cup winners will go in as hot favourites against the Socceroos, but, perhaps with the loss to Saudi Arabia fresh in his memory, Messi says they won’t be getting complacent against the nation ranked 35 places below them.
“The match against Australia is going to be very difficult,” Messi said after the win over Poland.
“Anyone can beat anyone, it's all even. We have to prepare for the game as we always do.”
Both teams face a short turnaround before the match at 6am on Sunday morning AEDT.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni made his feelings regarding the scheduling known.
“Today we are happy but not euphoric, because I think it's crazy we are playing in just over two days,” Scaloni reporters after the game.
“I can't really understand this. It's almost 1am, tomorrow is Thursday. We could have had more rest.
“I want to make it clear that it doesn't seem right to me that we have just two and a half days of rest after being first in the group.
“These conditions aren't great.”
Scaloni was under a mountain of pressure after Argentina gave up the lead to go down 2-1 against Saudi Arabia.
The footballing powerhouse nation, and the man himself, will be desperate to see Messi lift the World Cup, just about the only thing remaining from his list of accomplishments.
Scaloni is also taking the lessons from the Saudi Arabia match into the knockout clash with Australia.
“We played a good game and we have to continue. We are not candidates or favourites, we are still the same,” he said.
“We are a difficult team and we are going to fight. It is totally wrong to think that we are going to be champions by winning today.
“All teams are very tough, like I always said, Saudi Arabia is a great team. Football is football.
“You can play well and lose, that's the feeling I had after Saudi Arabia. Maybe we didn't play well but we deserved to win.
“All matches are tough and now, if you think the Australia match will be easy, you are wrong.
“They have shown they are tough. When you play in a World Cup and represent your country, you grow.”
