CNN
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Lionel Messi scored in what was the 1,000th game of his storied career as Argentina beat Australia 2-1 to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals.
Captaining his nationwide team for the 100th time, Messi ignited this last-16 match halfway by means of the primary half, curling residence cutely after some neat build-up play.
In the second half, Julián Álvarez capitalized on some slack goalkeeping by Australia stopper Mat Ryan to attain his second objective of the event and prolong Argentina’s lead.
Just when it appeared like Argentina may run away with proceedings, Craig Goodwin’s deflected strike from outdoors the field nestled in the underside nook to arrange an thrilling finale, however Argentina was in a position to maintain out.
Aziz Behich appeared as if he may snatch an unlikely equalizer however Lisandro Martinez’s last-dtich sort out deflected the Australian defender’s shot following a slaloming run previous a succession of Argentina defenders.
The victory means Argentina will face the Netherlands on Friday in the quarterfinals, after the Dutch beat the US Men’s National Team 3-1 earlier on Saturday.
More to observe…