Home ›› 03 Dec 2022 ›› Sport
Argentina, who came into the World Cup as one of the favourites, saw their campaign almost crumble at the very beginning as they lost to Saudi Arabia in their opening match.
But since then, they have been improving as Lionel Messi bailed them out against Mexico, and then they produced a team performance to down Poland and qualify for the knockouts as the group champion.
They will face a strong test in their first match of the knockout stage as Australia have shown great tenacity in defence, conceding no goals against Denmark and Tunisia to go through as runners-up from Group D behind France.
A big advantage for Argentina ahead of the match would be their path to the round of 16, where every match following that Saudi defeat turned into a do-or-die clash for them.
They went past them, and they need a performance similar to the one against Poland to go past the Socceroos, who have shown that they are no slouch in defending their goal.
This was resonated in the voice of Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni as he said that Argentina would not take the Aussies lightly.
“They’re all difficult, we saw that with Saudi Arabia. If you think Australia will be easy you’re wrong because they have shown that getting through against tough teams in this World Cup,” Scaloni said following their win over Poland.
The Argentina coach was also disgruntled about the scheduling as the Albiceleste had to take the field less than 48 hours after their last group stage match.
“We are happy today but I don’t want to be euphoric because I think it’s crazy that we’re playing in just over two days despite being winners of this group. I can’t understand it. It’s already (the early hours of) Thursday and we have two days and then we have to play it,” Scaloni expressed his frustration.
Argentina are likely to field an unchanged XI against Australia as the team gelled well in their last match. Australia, who defeated Denmark in their final match of the group stage, will also be doing so.
The Aussies’ biggest concern will be Argentina skipper Lionel Messi, and defender Milos Degenek said they would be putting their bodies on the line to thwart the little magician.
“Whether that is going to be possible or not, I am not sure, but I know we are going to give 110 per cent to stop everything that goes towards Matty’s (Australia goalkeeper Matt Ryan) goal,” he said.
Degenek added, “For us, it is to stop that (Messi winning the World Cup). Unfortunately, I am a big fan of his but I would love to win the World Cup more than for him to win the World Cup.”
The two teams have faced each other seven times, with Argentina winning all of the last four matches.
