PLAYER RATINGS | Argentina 2-1 Australia | OneFootball

Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina picked up a decisive 2-0 win over Australia to sail through to the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup.

While Australia put in a solid performance for the first 30 minutes or so, their hopes were shattered by a fantastic goal by Lionel Messi. A Mat Ryan error in the second half allowed Julian Alvarez to capitalise and he doubled the lead for the Albiceleste. An Enzo Fernandes deflected shot from Craig Goodwin halves the deficit later in the game.

Key performers

Lionel Messi, 8: It was another sparkling performance by Messi, who was making his 1000th appearance for club and country combined. He scored the decisive first goal, but also made sure that they built from the midfield in a reliable way and covered up for bigger issues in the side.

Enzo Fernandez, 6: Fernandez didn’t have an exceptional game, but he was rather decent and especially in the first half, he was effective in circulating possession from deep and making sure that Argentina held their shape against a stubborn Socceroos side.

Full ratings

Argentina 2

Emiliano Martinez: 5

Marcos Acuna: 6

Nicolas Otamendi:6

Cristian Romero: 6

Nahuel Molina: 5

Alexis Mac Allister: 6

Enzo Fernandez: 6

Rodrigo de Paul: 7

Julian Alvarez: 7

Leo Messii: 8

Papu Gomez: 6

Australia 1

Mat Ryan: 4

Milos Degenek: 5

Harry Souttar: 7

Kye Rowles: 6

Aziz Behich: 6

Matthew Leckie: 5

Keanu Baccus: 5

Aaron Mooy: 5

Riley McGree: 6

Jackson Irvine: 5

Mitchell Duke: 5

GWFN