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Argentina book quarter-final berth after 2-1 win over Australia

Goals from Lionel Messi, playing in 1,000 match of his career, and Julian Alvarez place Argentina on path for a clash with Netherlands.

Reuters

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their first goal against Australia.

Lionel Messi has scored on his 1,000th career appearance in Argentina's 2-1 win over Australia at the World Cup to surpass his great predecessor Diego Maradona's tournament total and set up a quarter-final clash with the Netherlands.

Seeking a first World Cup at his fifth attempt on Saturday, the mesmerising Messi curled the ball low past goalkeeper Mat Ryan from inside the area in the 35th minute to send the legions of Argentine fans into delirium at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.

Julian Alvarez bagged Argentina's second from close range in the 57th minute after fatal hesitation from Ryan with the ball at his feet following a backpass.

#FIFAWorldCup full-time score:#ARG 2 – 1 #AUS

Goalscorers: #ARG: Messi, Alvarez #AUS: Goodwin #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/ZoSRdaRXBx
— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) December 3, 2022

Australia, who did superbly to reach the last 16 and are ranked 35 places below the double World Cup winners, defended valiantly with the towering Harry Souttar prominent.

They set up a nervy end after Craig Goodwin's shot was deflected into the net off Enzo Fernandez for an own goal in the 77th minute.

The 35-year-old Messi's goal was his third in the Qatar tournament and his ninth at World Cups, one more than Maradona.