World Cup: Lionel Messi marks 1,000th game with a goal as Argentina beat Australia in last-16 | World News
Lionel Messi marked the 1,000th game of his career with a goal that helped Argentina reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup by beating Australia.
The football legend broke the deadlock at the end of the first half with a sweet finish after a clever combination with former Man City star Nicolas Otamendi at the edge of the box.
It was Messi’s 789 career goal, his 94th goal in 169 appearances for the first national team of his illustrious career, and his first in qualifying. World Cup live.
Australia threatened to hit back at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium after Craig Goodwin’s deflected shot halved the deficit, but a superb final tackle by Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez denied Aziz Behich, the equalizer in the 80th minute.
Argentina are advancing to the round of eight after recovering from a shock 1-2 defeat to Saudi Arabia in the tournament’s opening match to top Group C.
They will face the Netherlands on Friday, after the Dutch team beat the US 3-1 earlier.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi competes for the ball with Australia’s Jackson Irvine (right)
Oranje extended their unbeaten run to 19 games after a negligent US defense helped the Dutchman score as Memphis Depay scored in the 10th minute and Daley Blind in first-half injury time.
USA’s hopes were revived when Christian Pulisic’s pass hit second-half substitute Haji Wright and edged past goalkeeper Andries Noppert and into the net.
But Denzel Dumfries then scored with a volley after assisting in the first two goals.
Read more: Which team is predicted to win the World Cup?
Memphis Depay of the Netherlands is playing
Daley Blind of the Netherlands celebrates scoring their team’s second goal
Tomorrow, France will face Poland at 3pm, while England will face Senegal at 7pm.
