DOHA, 3rd December, 2022 (WAM) -- Argentina beat Australia 2-1 and advanced to the Qatar 2022's last 16 to face the Netherlands thanks to their talisman.

After Lionel Messi expertly broke the deadlock at the 35th minute, Julian Alvarez doubled the lead before the hour.

At 35 years and 162 days old, Lionel Messi joined Argentina as the World Cup's senior marksman. It was Messi's World Cup ninth goal, moving him one goal ahead of Maradona and and one goal behind 10-goal Gabriel Batistuta.

Despite this, the Socceroos held onto their towel. Craig Goodwin's hard strike from one attempt on the Albiceleste goal took a significant deflection from Enzo Fernandez and cut the lead in half.