World Cup 2022: Argentina’s Open Door to the Quarters

Argentina vs Australia

Argentina continue their World Cup 2022 campaign on Saturday when they meet outsiders Australia at the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium. 

It’s a game the South Americans will expect to win, and if they don’t there is sure to be a month of mourning in Buenos Aires! That is no disrespect to their opponents. Australia is a fanatical sporting nation; but football is the fifth most popular sport, with Aussie Rules footy, cricket and both rugby codes ranking ahead of the beautiful game.

In South America, of course, football is the second religion.    

Argentina come into the game on the back of an impressive 2-0 win over Poland while Graham Arnold’s Australia picked up a stunning win over highly rated Denmark, so they fully deserve to be in this company.   

Talking Points

Magnificent Messi leads the Argentina charge

The World Cup 2022 betting odds have backed Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina from the off, rating them as third favourites; and the faith didn’t waiver even after a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia. That loss meant the Albiceleste were immediately in a knockout environment and they have handled the situation with true professionalism, led by captain and talisman Lionel Messi.

Argentina’s second game, against Mexico, was full of tension until Enzo Fernades and Messi scored to take the three vital points. But when Argentina met Poland on Wednesday night there was an air of inevitability from the very first whistle. The Albiceleste totally dominated the Poles and could easily have won by a much bigger score line than the 2-0 outcome. Messi didn’t score, despite having a penalty and seven shots in total, but most of Argentina’s attacking play came through the little genius and every time he picked up the ball the crowd rose to their feet.      

Messi has been one of the standout performers at the World Cup so far, but this is by no means a one man team and there are plenty of match winners in the line-up. Inter Milan’s star striker, Lautaro Martinez, gave way to Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez in the win over Poland and Alvarez scored a stunner, while Brighton Midfielder Alexis MacAllister was unlucky not to add to his goal. 

Aussies aim to be history boys

It’s not often the Socceroos make it to the knockout phase of the World Cup; in fact this is only the second time in their history in six appearances at the finals. The Class of 2006 reached the Round of 16 in Germany before losing to eventual winners Italy as Francesco Totti scored a 95^th minute penalty. The Aussies had a star-studded side back then with the likes of Leeds United star Harry Kewell, all time top scorer Tim Cahill and the nation’s most capped player, goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. 

This group of players finished second in Group D on six points, only behind world champions France on goal difference. They were the lowest seeded team in the group and rose to the challenge magnificently, beating Tunisia and Denmark after taking a 4-1 hiding from Les Bleus. Australia deservedly beat Denmark, highly fancied before the tournament began, when Mathew Leckie finished off a superb counter attack with a well taken goal.

This team doesn’t have the big names of the Class of 2006 but, captained by former Brighton keeper Mat Ryan and with the 6ft 6in powerhouse Harry Souttar at the heart of defence, they will fight to the last. 

Australia might just fancy upsetting the odds again. If they can somehow beat Argentina then they will lay claim to being the best Australian team of all time.        

History

While Australia are making their second appearance in the knockout stage of the World Cup finals, Argentina are fighting for a third world title.   

The only two meetings between Argentina and Australia have ended in a win for the Albiceleste and it’s difficult to see that run coming to an end, though one point of encouragement for the Socceroos is that the two teams have identical records over the past six games with five wins and a defeat each. 

Betting Tip

There have been some pretty wild World Cup 2022 results already in this tournament and it would take the biggest of them all for Australia to stop Scaloni’s men from reaching the quarter finals. The Socceroos are at SBOTOP odds of 12.50 to win the game or 6.80 to draw in 90 minutes. You know what? I just don’t think it’s going to happen and I can’t see any other outcome than an Argentina win, with a score-line of 3-0 at a price of 5.80

 

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