Argentina they advanced to the quarterfinals thanks to a 2-1 victory against Australia. It is already one of the best 8 teams in Qatar 2022. will be measured at Netherlands and they will remember the days gone by at Brazil 2014, when the South Americans kicked them out in the semifinals. It is not known how well or badly they arrive, the match against the Socceroos was not a parameter.
The Argentina National Team did just enough to beat the Australians. Neither more nor less: they were not inferior but they did not see themselves as all-powerful either. The process of the game was closed until it arrived Lionel Messi’s goal.
Once up on the scoreboard, Argentina handled the game at their convenience, with the ball at their feet and even the rival goalkeeper, Mathew Ryan, “gave them” the second goal. He wanted to play and Julián Álavarez anticipated it.
Australia was innocent, did not show the level that was speculated after Denmark was left out. The only chance they had to scare the Albiceleste It was his goal in the 76th minute: Craig Goodwin He took a shoe from outside the area. The ball was possibly not going to go in, but a deflection by Enzo Fenandez made it possible. Emiliano Martínez remained static and could not prevent the ball from entering.
After the goal they tried to equalize, Argentina fell asleep, and withdrew, letting the Australians grow, who only showed momentum in the final stretch of the game. Only in that last section were they threatening, but in the rest of the match they almost “gave away” the most important game in their last four years.
Now Argentina will have to face a team “of its size”. The South Americans had enjoyed the privilege of playing against lower-ranking teams. Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland and Australia do not have the weight that it does have Netherlands.
Now the litmus test will begin for Messi and company, who are only required to do one thing: lift the Cup. The Dutch are not the main candidates to win, but at least they have a name and squad that do command respect.
If there is something to point out they are the excesses of confidence of the Argentine National Team. They were 2-0 ahead of the Australians, it didn’t seem like anything was going to happen but they lowered the accelerator, they scored a goal and closed the game “asking for the time”. Until the drawing he had to bring out his skills at the end.
The Australian team lacked punch, perhaps more punch they would have sent the match to lengthen. It may be a sign: Lionel Scaloni’s team is not all powerful, he suffers even with teams that don’t demand, how will they fare against those who do?
At the moment they are already in the quarterfinals and they will try to correct the mistakes they have exhibited throughout the World Cup. Because yes, they arrived as the great candidates but today they are a team that collapsed and is still in the process of rebuilding.