JONATHAN SHALLARD in DOHA: Lionel Messi proved once more he is ever the player for the big occasion as he led Argentina towards the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.

The task for Argentina and their captain was to beat Australia in the Round of 16 and celebrate appropriately the occasion of not only Messi’s 1,000 official career match but his 100th as captain of his country.

Hence Messi was man who stepped up to break the first half deadlock with a goal which was also his first in a World Cup knockout tie and paved the way to a 2-1 victory which was narrower than it should have been.

Next up for Argentina will be a quarter-final against Netherlands in a rerun of the bitter and bruising 1978 World Cup Final in Buenos Aires.

Initially Argentina found Australia resilient and awkward opponents, ready to chase down every ball, every man in possession and do it high up the pitch.

This meant that Argentina struggled to put together any meaningful attacking movement and their frustration was evident when Gomes hastily unleashed the first shot of the match high over the bat in the 16th minute.

Australia grew ever bolder and forced a couple of corners one of which Argentina cleared more by luck than judgment.

As the pace settled so Argentina began winning free kicks deeper in the Socceroos’ half. Messi capitalised. In the 35th minute he took a kick wide on the right and revelled in instant to glide inside, pick up a return pass from Niclas Otamendi and unleash a low drive through a defender’s legs and beyond the diving Mat Ryan’s right hand.

The pace was relentless from both teams, albeit with next to nothing in terms of chances to show for their work.

Hence when Argentina extended their lead it was courtesy of Australian sloppiness, first in messing up a play-off move and then keeper Ryan being caught in possession by Rodrigo de Paul so Julian Alvarez could score.

It could have been a devastating goal but Australia responded by producing a goal out of nothing in the 76th minute. Craig Goodwin’s shot was heading wide but struck Enzo Fernandez on the back and flew into Martinez’s left-hand corner as the goalkeeper moved right.

Lautaro Martinez and Messi, twice each, might have extended the scoreline in stoppage time and Awer Mabil might have equalised but for Emi Martinez’s flailing left arm.

Argentina were exhausted but delighted. Now they have six days to regroup and refresh before confronting even more determined opposition in Louis van Gaal’s Dutchmen.

###########