Match report

Argentina Defeats Australia 2-1 in World Cup Thriller

Argentina
Argentina
2–1
FT
Australia
Australia
Dec 3, 2022

Argentina demonstrated its strength and resilience to defeat Australia in a tense World Cup match. Lionel Messi's early goal set Argentina on course for victory, followed by Julián Álvarez’s crucial second before an own goal from Enzo Fernández brought the Aussies back into contention. Despite pressure late in the game, Argentina held off Australia to advance with a 2-1 win.

Key Facts

  • • Lionel Messi scored the first goal for Argentina at minute 35 assisted by Nicolás Otamendi.
  • • Julián Álvarez added another goal for Argentina in the 57th minute.
  • • Enzo Fernández's own goal brought Australia back into contention at minute 77.
  • • Australia had two yellow cards issued to Jack Irvine and Mat Ryan Degenek.

Lineups

Argentina

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

  • 23 E. Martínez (G)
  • 26 N. Molina (D)
  • 13 C. Romero (D)
  • 19 N. Otamendi (D)
  • 8 M. Acuña (D)
  • 7 R. De Paul (M)
  • 24 E. Fernández (M)
  • 20 A. Mac Allister (M)
  • 9 J. Álvarez (F)
  • 10 L. Messi (F)
  • 17 P. Gómez (F)

Substitutes

  • 25 Lisandro Martínez
  • 22 Lautaro Martínez
  • 3 N. Tagliafico
  • 4 G. Montiel
  • 14 E. Palacios
  • 1 F. Armani
  • 6 G. Pezzella
  • 5 L. Paredes
  • 21 P. Dybala
  • 2 J. Foyth
  • 16 T. Almada
  • 15 Á. Correa
  • 11 Á. Di María
  • 18 G. Rodríguez
  • 12 G. Rulli

Australia

Formation: 4-4-2

Starting XI

  • 1 M. Ryan (G)
  • 2 M. Degenek (D)
  • 19 H. Souttar (D)
  • 4 K. Rowles (D)
  • 16 A. Behich (D)
  • 7 M. Leckie (M)
  • 26 K. Baccus (M)
  • 13 A. Mooy (M)
  • 14 R. McGree (M)
  • 15 M. Duke (F)
  • 22 J. Irvine (F)

Substitutes

  • 23 C. Goodwin
  • 10 A. Hrustić
  • 5 F. Karačić
  • 9 J. Maclaren
  • 21 G. Kuol
  • 6 M. Tilio
  • 12 A. Redmayne
  • 18 D. Vukovic
  • 8 B. Wright
  • 17 C. Devlin
  • 3 N. Atkinson
  • 25 J. Cummings
  • 11 A. Mabil
  • 24 J. King
  • 20 T. Deng

Timeline

  1. Australia
    15' Australia Card · Yellow Card
    J. Irvine

    Persistent fouling

  2. Argentina
    35' Argentina Goal · Normal Goal
    L. Messi · Assist: Nicolás Otamendi
  3. Australia
    38' Australia Card · Yellow Card
    M. Degenek

    Foul

  4. Argentina
    50' Argentina subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Papu Gomez · On: Lisandro Martínez
  5. Argentina
    57' Argentina Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Álvarez
  6. Australia
    58' Australia subst · Substitution 1
    Off: R. McGree · On: C. Goodwin
  7. Australia
    58' Australia subst · Substitution 2
    Off: K. Baccus · On: A. Hrustic
  8. Argentina
    71' Argentina subst · Substitution 2
    Off: J. Álvarez · On: L. Martinez
  9. Australia
    72' Australia subst · Substitution 3
    Off: M. Degenek · On: F. Karačić
  10. Australia
    72' Australia subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Mitchell Duke · On: J. Maclaren
  11. Australia
    72' Australia subst · Substitution 5
    Off: M. Leckie · On: G. Kuol
  12. Australia
    77' Australia Goal · Own Goal
    E. Fernandez
  13. Argentina
    80' Argentina subst · Substitution 4
    Off: A. Mac Allister · On: Gonzalo Montiel
  14. Argentina
    80' Argentina subst · Substitution 5
    Off: N. Molina · On: E. Palacios

Match Stats

Stat Argentina Australia
Fouls 8 15
Pass Accuracy 88% 83%
Offsides 3 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 14 5
Corners 1 3
Total Passes 695 435
Yellow Cards 0 2
Blocked Shots 2 2
Shots on Target 5 1
Shots off Target 7 2
Possession 61% 39%
Accurate Passes 610 359
Shots Inside Box 11 3
Saves 1 3
Shots Outside Box 3 2

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Lionel Messi’s early goal in the 35th minute set Argentina on course for victory, providing a significant morale boost.
  • ▸ The own goal by Enzo Fernández at minute 77 reignited Australia's hopes and brought them back into contention, creating a tense finish.