Messi Inspires Argentina To WC Last 8 In 1000th Appearance

Lionel Messi scored on his 1000th career appearance as Argentina advanced to the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals by defeating Australia 2-1 on Saturday night.

Both nations made just one each from their final group stage matches, as the South Americans handed a start to Alejandro Gomez in place of Angel di Maria while South African-born midfielder Keanu Baccus started for the Socceroos.

Messi, meanwhile, kept his spot in the side and captained the South American champions in his 1000th career appearance.

Lionel Scaloni's men dominated the possession in the early stages of the first half but with Australia sitting quite deep, they struggled to carve out any serious openings in the final third. The Argentine's dominance eventually paid off in the 34th minute as Alex Mac Allister played a pass into Nicolas Otamendi, who laid the ball off for Messi to calmly slott past Matt Ryan.

La Albiceleste carried that lead into the second half, as coach Scaloni made a change at the start of the stanza by throwing on Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez for Pau Gomez.

The Argentines would go on to the next goal in the 57th minute when Julian Alvarez got his second goal of the competition by bounce on Ryan's error in the box to fire into an empty net.

Australia responded by introducing Craig Goodwin and Ajdin Hrustic just after the hour mark, with Baccus and Riley McGree making way in the midfield.

The decision paid off with 15 minutes left in the second half, as Goodwin pulled a goal back for the Socceroos as his strike from distance took a big deflection off Enzo Fernandez and sailed into the far corner.

The Australians were close to pulling themselves level in the 82nd minute when Aziz Behich embarked on an impressive solo run into the box before seeing his shot blocked by Lisandro Martinez.

Substitute Lautaro Martinez squandered a couple big chances to extend Argentina's lead late in the game, although it did not come back to haunt them as they held out for the win after Emiliano Martinez produced a vital save to deny Garan Kuol in time added on.

Argentina will now face the Netherlands in the quarter-finals next week.