In his 1,000th senior match, much – as so many times before – was to be about Argentina’s captain. The round of 16 against Australia was a jubilant night for Messi, who scored the team’s first goal after a cold finish – and helped Argentina win 2-1. – Look at that. It is football’s wizard, commented news expert Nils Johan Semb. Argentina doubled their lead shortly after the break. Much thanks to good help from Australia’s last defender Matthew Ryan, who waited with a goalkeeper blister and ensured that Julián Álvarez could put in 2-0. But out of nowhere, the match was to be given new life. In the quarter before the end, Craig Goodwin reduced, triggering some dramatic final minutes. – What a drama, exclaimed Semb. Australia were dangerous forward on several occasions, but the equalizer did not come. Argentina and Messi escaped the horror, and are thus ready for the World Cup quarter-finals. There they meet the Netherlands. JUBILEE: The Argentina players were ecstatic after Messi’s 1-0 goal. Photo: CARL RECINE / Reuters Did Maradona miss Messi’s anniversary match should start in the best possible way. The game had just passed the half-hour mark when Argentina quickly played through after a free-kick. In speed, Messi received the ball from Nicolás Otamendi, and placed the ball ice-cold to the left and into the goal. – In his 1000th game, he scores goal number 789, and also his ninth World Cup goal. Then he passes Maradona, and is only one behind Batistuta, exclaimed news’s commentator Christian Nilssen. Diego Maradona stopped at eight World Cup goals, while Messi now has nine goals and is one behind Gabriel Batistuta’s record of ten goals. The Argentina players embraced the team’s captain to wild cheers from the stands after the goal. Messi and co. also secured the lead at half-time, while the Australians entered the dressing room without creating any danger in the chance-poor first half. – I don’t know if I got the score, because I fell asleep, you know, before that score. The cheering weighed on me then, so I could see on the replay that it was a good performance by Messi, summed up news expert Åge Hareide during the break. Photo: FRANCK FIFE / AFP The double after a goalkeeping mistake Vondt was to make matters worse for Australia after just over an hour had been played. Matthew Ryan was in the daring corner and lost his way as he tried to pass Argentina’s Rodrigo De Paul and Julián Álvarez. The ball eventually fell to the latter, who doubled the lead for his home country after a big goalkeeping blunder. – It’s part of the Australian game, not to make big mistakes in your own half of the pitch – but bigger mistakes Matt Ryan makes here are almost impossible. GO HOPE: Craig Goodwin’s goal ignited Australia’s quarter-final dream. Photo: ODD ANDERSEN / AFP The reduction to Goodwin was to be of little help, despite great chances for Australia in the final minutes.
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