FIFA World Cup Round of 16 : Argentina vs Australia

 In the 2nd game of the knock outs, a rejuvenated Argentina faced Australia, with a lot of whispers on a possible upset. The match started rather sedately, with both sides looking at breaking through. Arnold's Australia were fairly well organised in their backline, thwarting the Argentinian attacks by staying firm deep in defense & look for occasional counter attacks, while Scaloni's side laboured to go forward. However, Lionel Messi, in his 1000th game, came up with his touch of magic to create the vital chink & score his 789th career goal, which also was his first goal in the knock out stages of World Cup for Argentina . His initial free kick from the right side near the corner was repelled by Souttar, but the men in blue white stripes regained possession of the ball, as MacAllister played to Otamendi, whose first touch is met by the wily Messi & his angled push in betwwen two defenders, rolled behind the outstretched Ryan to nestle into the bottom left corner of the net, as Argentina went up 1-0, as the deadlock was broken. A typical Messi moment, that we have come to witness over the years. As the referee blew the half time whistle, the score remained intact at 1-0 for the Albiceleste. 

Around the hour mark, in the 2nd half, Argentina went up 2-0, gifted by a horrible mix up in the Australian box. Under pressure from Argentinian attack, Keeper Ryan threw the ball at Rowles, who back passed poorly to the keeper Ryan, who lost the ball to a lurking Alvarez, & the Man City youngster simply pushed ball into the empty net, as the Aussie defense looked in horror. This was enough to deflate the men in yellow green, & the Argentinians came swarming in packs hunting for more. With the game looking dead & buried, Aussies came back out of nowhere, as Goodwin's long ranger from around 25 yards boomed in to ricochet off Fernandes & wrong footed the keeper Martinez to enter the net, as the score changed to 2-1. Suddenly there was a spring in the strides of the Aussies, & minutes later Behich used his pace to waltz through a maze of Argentinians & with the keeper to beat inside the box, his shot was blocked by a sliding Martinez, for a corner, as the chance went abegging, much to the chagrin of the Australian supporters. The match had suddenly become chaotic as both sides went all out, a& the match stretched into 7 minutes of extra time. Messi mesmerised & created a number of chances, threading through the Aussie backline, but Lautaro Martinez fumbled in finishing as Australian defense held on. In the dying moments Australia almost equalised, as a cross inside the box is well controlled by Kuol & he turned & fired a low shot which the Argentinian keeper Martinez recovers in the second attempt, after almost letting it go past him. His colleagues collapsed on him in gratitude, as the Aussies groaned in agony. It was curtains for the Soceroos, as the Albiceleste triumphed after some very anxious minutes. Australia would rue giving away the second goal easily, in a defensive lapse. 

Argentina moves into the quarterfinals with a 2-1 victory, where they meet a formidable Netherlands, in what promises to be a mouth watering contest for sure. The form of Lionel Messi would be very very comforting for the men in blue white stripes, & as long as he orchestrates the moves, the team looks really threatening.