FIFA World Cup: Lionel Messi scores first goal in World Cup knockout round as Argentina reaches quarterfinals

Messi provided the first highlight towards the end of the first half and Julian Alvarez took advantage of a goalkeeping error, to put the two-time world champions Argentina two goals up on the hour mark.

After Craig Goodwin cut the lead in half with a deflected shot, Australia rallied back to set up an exciting conclusion.

And it took a great tackle from Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez to prevent Australia's Aziz Behich from equalising in the 80th minute.

In the last eight, Argentina will face the Netherlands on Friday, who bounced back from a 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in their first game to top Group C.

The Australian fans far outnumbered the Argentine fans as what was expected to be a tough match developed.

Argentina was obliged to play patiently and cautiously as a result of the Socceroos, and it took until the 17th minute for the South Americans to start to pose a threat.

Alejandro Gomez was given a chance by Messi to score on the left, but he missed the target.

While Australia controlled possession and forced the game's first two corners, there wasn't much goalmouth activity during the first half of the match.

However, Messi gave the game a boost in the 35th minute when he switched passes with Nicolas Otamendi at the edge of the box and fired the ball into the bottom corner.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LIONEL MESSI PASSES DIEGO MARADONA FOR MOST WORLD CUP GOALS BY AN ARGENTINE! 🇦🇷 <a href="https://t.co/ZmbvKVcK9E">pic.twitter.com/ZmbvKVcK9E</a></p>&mdash; ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1599125342597386240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It was his first goal in the World Cup knockout rounds, his 94th in 169 appearances for his country, and his 789th goal overall.

At the beginning of the second half, Argentina had a ton of possession, and Messi stumbled just as he was ready to score his second goal of the game.

Australia were forced to concede an unlucky goal in the 57th minute.

Goalkeeper Mat Ryan made a mistake with a back pass, and Manchester City striker Alvarez slid the ball in for his second goal of the tournament.

Argentina were content to hold possession of the ball, but after substitute Nicolas Tagliafico missed the target with an effort, Australia unexpectedly halved the deficit with a deflected goal.

In an attempt to score, Goodwin shot from outside the box, which struck Enzo Fernandez and went into the bottom corner.

Australia almost equalised in the 80th minute when Dundee United's Behich got past four defenders and into the penalty area. Still, Manchester United centre-back Martinez made a brilliant save to block the shot.

Argentina came close to regaining the two-goal lead through Martinez, who put two shots beside the goal and made a good save on a third.

But the jubilant Argentine fans held their breath as Australia's young substitute Garang Kuol forced goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez into a brilliant save in stoppage time.