FIFA WC: Messi dazzles as Argentina seal spot in quarterfinals | As it happened

Messi
Lionel Messi in action against Australia. Photo: AFP/Glyn Kirk

Two-time champions Argentina beat Australia 2-1 in the pre-quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan.

Read the match report here:

HIGHLIGHTS
  • 1 year ago

    Thank you for joining us. We will be back with the France-Poland clash later tonight

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  • 1 year ago

    But Argentina's and Messi's dreams are very much alive

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  • 1 year ago

    Australia's hopes of a maiden quarterfinal berth are shattered

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  • 1 year ago

    Messi made the difference as he often does

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  • 1 year ago

    The final whistle blows! Argentina win 2-1 and set up a clash with the Dutch in the quarterfinals

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  • 1 year ago

    Australia almost snatch a late equaliser! Argentina survive

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  • 1 year ago

    Argentina are attacking till the end. No defensive tactics from Scaloni's men

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  • 1 year ago

    Messi come close again! He's been simply sensational tonight

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  • 1 year ago

    Messi almost makes it 3-1!

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  • 1 year ago

    Seven added minutes for the Socceroos to draw level

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Argentina fans
Argentina fans at the the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan. Photo: AFP/Franck Fife

Lionel Messi scored in the 35th minute to hand Argentina the lead in his 1,000th career game. Julian Alvarez doubled the lead in the 57th minute.

Though Craig Goodwin pulled one back for the Socceroos it was too little too late.

Argentina will meet the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.

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