Lionel Messi reached his 1,000th game with his first World Cup goal, leading Argentina into the quarter-finals with a 2-1 victory over powerhouse Australia.
The 35-year-old on Saturday put Argentina ahead in the 35th minute with his third goal of this year’s tournament and ninth at the World Cup – one more than late Argentine legend Diego Maradona.
Julian Alvarez pounced on Australia’s Mathew Ryan to slot into an empty net for the second goal as Argentina set up a meeting with the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
Australia got a consolation goal in the 77th minute when Craig Goodwin’s shot was deflected into the net by Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
For the Australian team of uncapped players, it was the longest World Cup game as the team exceeded expectations by reaching the knockout stage for the second time. Australia also lost in the last 16 in 2006 to eventual champions Italy.
