Argentina faced off against Australia at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium earlier today as they looked to secure a positive result in the knockout phases of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The South American nation made a dominant start to the game and got their noses ahead in the 35th minute courtesy of Lionel Messi’s excellent strike. The Argentine players went into the half-time break 1-0 up on the scoreline.
Julian Alvarez doubled Argentina’s advantage in the 57th minute with a decent finish. Enzo Fernandez scored an unfortunate own goal in the 77th minute as Lionel Scaloni’s men ended up earning an impressive 2-1 win in the World Cup.
Let’s take a look at how each Argentina player fared during the clash against Australia.
GK: Emiliano Martinez – 7/10
The Argentine keeper didn’t have much to do in the game but made one important save to deny the Australians a late equaliser in injury time.
RB: Nahuel Molina – 6/10
He tried his best to keep things solid at the back but offered very little going forward.
CB: Cristian Romero – 6.5/10
Romero was strong in the air and did what was required of him at the back.
CB: Nicolas Otamendi – 7/10
He made a lot of crucial clearances on the defensive end of the field and has also got an assist to show for his efforts.
LB: Marcos Acuna – 7/10
Acuna got stuck in with some solid tackles and produced a battling display at left back.
CM: Rodrigo De Paul – 7/10
He anchored the midfield with conviction and made some decent chances for his teammates in the final third.
CM: Enzo Fernandez – 6.5/10
Fernandez offered decent protection for his teammates at the back but scored an unfortunate own goal in the second half.
CM: Alexis Mac Allister – 6.5/10
He came back to defend when needed and made one key chance in the final third.
RW: Julian Alvarez – 7/10
Alvarez worked hard and managed to score Argentina’s second goal with a tidy finish in the 57th minute.
ST: Lionel Messi – 8.5/10
Messi was a constant menace in front of the opponent’s goal and opened the goal-scoring for Argentina with a fine strike in the first half.
LW: Papu Gomez – 6.5/10
He had a couple of bright moments in the game but could last only 49 minutes.
Substitutes:
LB: Nicolas Tagliafico – 6/10
He kept things solid at the back.
ST: Lautaro Martinez – 6/10
The Argentine striker wasted some glorious chances to score.
CM: Exequiel Palacios – 6/10
He had two bright moments in the game.
