Sunday | December 4, 2022

Lionel Messi captained Argentina to a hard fought 2-1 triumph against Australia at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan Saturday night. 

The South Americans opened the scoring through the ever reliable 35-year-old Messi (35′)in the first half before Julian Alvarez (57′) doubled the lead in the second half to book a berth in the quarterfinals.

Australia managed to pull one back through an own goal by Enzo Fernandez (77′) to liven things up. Although Argentina missed more opportunities, Australia came close towards the final minutes of the game. However, the last 16 encounter ended 2-1 in favour of Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina’s charges.

Netherlands 3-1 USA

In the match played earlier yesterday evening, Netherlands cruised to an emphatic 3-1 victory over the United States of America (USA) at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.

Memphis Depay (10′) gave Netherlands the lead and Daley Blind (45+1′) made it 2-0. Not to be reduced to spectators, Haji Wright (76′) got the USA back in the game by reducing the deficit. But Denzel Dumfries (81′) put the ga9to bed when he volleyed the ball into the net free from the far post. With the scoreline 3-1 and the clock ticking away, there was no way back for the young USA team.

The Europeans [Netherlands] juggernaut will meet Argentina in the last eight of the World Cup at Lusail Stadium in Lusail Friday Dec. 9 night – 21h00.

Sunday | Dec. 4 FIFA World Cup Fixtures:

France vs Poland at Al Thumama (Doha) – 17h00

England vs Senegal at Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor) – 21h00