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☆ Asian Cup: Son Heung-min’s dazzling extra-time free kick seals South Korea’s dramatic passage to semifinals
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A dazzling extra-time free kick from talisman and captain Son Heung-min sealed a dramatic victory for South Korea in the Asian Cup quarterfinals against Australia, continuing its habit of nervy, sensational finishes in this tournament. And against Australia, South Korea was trailing 1-0 almost four minutes into stoppage time. “The most important thing is we get the result,” Son said afterwards, per the Asian Cup website. Son's goal sealed South Korea's place in the Asian Cup semifinals. Xia Bohan/VCG/Getty Images“It was another drama,” said South Korea manager Jürgen Klinsmann, according to the Asian Cup wesbite.

Persons: Son Heung, Cho Gue, Son, Hwang Hee, Matty Ryan, ” Son, Craig Goodwin, Jo Hyeon, Connor Metcalfe, Goodwin, Nathaniel Atkinson, Jo, Graham Arnold, Aidan O’Neill, Xia Bohan, ”, Jürgen Klinsmann, “ I’m, Jordan Organizations: CNN, South, Australia, Warriors, Tottenham, Kyodo, Socceroos, Taegeuk Locations: South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Australia

If you travel overseas, you'll soon find that your Asian Cup live streams will be interrupted due to geo-restrictions. Ultimately allowing you to access your usual AFC Asian Cup live streams, and other top-quality soccer and sport such as free AFCON live streams. Paramount Plus Essential (Monthly Plan) Paramount Plus' Essential tier is a steal at this price and only has limited ads. How to watch Asian Cup live streams in AustraliaLike in the US, Paramount Plus is the service you need to watch Asian Cup live streams in Australia. You'll need to set up an account to do so, but all that requires is your email address and away you go — free Asian Cup live streams!

Persons: you've, you'll, it's, ExpressVPN Organizations: AFC Asian, Jordan, Asian, Paramount Plus, AFC, Paramount, USA, Triller, Canada CBS's Paramount, CBS Sports Golazo, CBS, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, MTV, NFL, Champions League, Showtime, Sky Sports, Socceroos Locations: Qatar, Iran, China, India, Japan, Iraq, South Korea, USA, Australia, Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam, North America

☆ Ange Postecoglou: How Australian coach is transforming his club and winning the hearts of soccer fans
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

However, the top flight of English soccer had never seen an Australian manager in its 31-year history – that is until the arrival of Ange Postecoglou. Ian MacNicol/Getty ImagesThe Australian was greeted with a similar reception when he was hired by London club Tottenham in the summer of 2023. “He’s inspired Australian football and inspired Australian football coaches,” Dr. Craig Duncan, one of the nation’s leading sports scientists who worked with Postecoglou during his tenure with the Socceroos – the Australian national team – told CNN Sport. So much so that, according to Duncan, many Australian football fans he has spoken to will immediately check the score of Tottenham’s matches when they wake up. “This isn’t about us playing good football, it’s about us winning games of football,” Postecoglou told reporters after a recent 2-1 defeat by West Ham.

Persons: Ange Postecoglou, Postecoglou, Callum McGregor, Ian MacNicol, “ We’ve, “ He’s, ” Dr, Craig Duncan, –, Duncan, ” Postecoglou, “, Postecoglou’s, Craig Foster, Foster, unemployable ”, Ryan Pierse, Postecoglou's, ” Duncan, Spurs, Antonio Conte’s, you’re, ”, Anusak, “ Ricky Sacks, Sacks, Pedro Porro, Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr, ’, Mauricio Pochettino, Pochettino, José Mourinho, Nuno Espírito Santo, Conte, Harry Kane, Son Heung, he’s Organizations: CNN, Premier League, Spain’s Basque, Australian’s Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur, Scottish, Celtic, Glasgow, Scottish Premier League, London, Tottenham, Spurs, Socceroos –, Australian, CNN Sport, BBC Sport, Sky Sports, South Melbourne FC, FIFA, Australia, Panachaiki, Brisbane Roar, Roar, Melbourne Victory, Socceroos, Brisbane, Melbourne, Marinos, Tottenham Hotspur “, ” Spurs, ‘, Champions League, Bayern Munich, Spurs ’ Locations: Argentinians, Australia, Greece, Japan, Australian, Postecoglou, Athens, Victoria, Brazil, South Melbourne, Yokohama, Scotland, North London, West Ham, London

☆ 'Sweeter and sweeter': Souttar racks up 10th goal to save Australia
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MELBOURNE, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Australia defender Harry Souttar is building a record a striker would be proud of, having headed in a 10th goal from his 21st international against the Palestinian team to save the Socceroos in their World Cup qualifier. The goal was virtually a carbon copy of his fourth minute header in the 7-0 rout of Bangladesh in Melbourne last week, also with Goodwin the provider. It's just getting sweeter and sweeter, obviously." "Probably we didn't play our best, but the most important thing was the three points," he said. Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Robert BirselOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Harry Souttar, Craig Goodwin, Goodwin, It's, Kuwait's Jaber Al, Australia's, Mat Ryan, Graham Arnold, we've, Ian Ransom, Robert Birsel Organizations: MELBOURNE, Palestinian, Socceroos, World, Australia, Leicester City, Kuwait's, Ahmad, Lebanon, Thomson Locations: Australia, Scotland, Kuwait, Bangladesh, Melbourne, Israel, Gaza

☆ Australia kick off 2026 qualifying with 7-0 rout of Bangladesh
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MELBOURNE, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Australia kicked off Asia's second round of World Cup qualifying with a 7-0 demolition of Bangladesh on Thursday as Graham Arnold celebrated a record 59th 'A' international as Socceroos coach. "Overall it was a good performance but I think we still need to be a bit more ruthless in front of goal," Arnold told reporters. Australia face Palestine in Kuwait next week, their next step on the road to the 2026 finals in North America. Thursday's match also marked the 50th anniversary of Australia sealing qualification for the 1974 World Cup, the nation's first appearance at the global showpiece. Australia are bidding to qualify for the World Cup for the seventh time, and sixth time in succession, having reached the round of 16 at last year's tournament in Qatar.

Persons: Graham Arnold, Jamie Maclaren, Mitchell Duke, Arnold, Harry, Craig Goodwin, Brandon Borrello, Connor Metcalfe, Mitul Marma, Duke, Metcalfe, Borrello, Maclaren, Jordan Bos, pouncing, Massimo Luongo, pinged, Lewis Miller, Kusini Yengi, Luongo, Aiden O’Neill, Frank Farina, Ian Ransom, Andrew Heavens, Toby Davis Organizations: MELBOURNE, Socceroos, 183rd, Melbourne, Thomson Locations: Australia, Bangladesh, Palestine, Kuwait, North America, Qatar, Melbourne

☆ From refugee camp to Munich, Bayern sign Australian Irankunda
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich have signed Australian teenager Nestory Irankunda from Adelaide United on a long-term deal starting in July next year after he turns 18. The pacey 17-year-old winger was born in a Tanzanian refugee camp to Burundian parents before moving to Perth as an infant and then on to Adelaide, where he took up the game. "There were multiple teams interested and I had to make the choice and I made the choice of Bayern Munich. "There was obviously offers from English Premier League teams but my dad said he supported Bayern. There was a photo he showed me in the refugee camp, in Bayern Munich kit, so I went off that, to make my parents and my dad proud."

Persons: Nestory Irankunda, pacey, Irankunda, We've, we're, we've, Jochen Sauer, We're, Nick Mulvenney, Peter Rutherford Organizations: SYDNEY, Bundesliga, Bayern Munich, Adelaide United, Socceroos, English Premier League teams, Bayern, Adelaide, Thomson Locations: Perth, Adelaide, Bayern Munich, Munich

☆ Melbourne City boss Vidosic dumped after two games of A-League season
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MELBOURNE, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Melbourne City manager Rado Vidosic has been sacked two games into the A-League season and replaced by Aurelio Vidmar. City, the sister club of Premier League giants Manchester City, were thrashed 6-0 by Adelaide United on Sunday following a 2-1 defeat in their season-opener against cross-town rivals Western United. Former Australia captain Vidmar takes over as head coach for the rest of the season, City said. "During his five years at the Club, Vidosic has been an integral part of on-field success, winning silverware with the Youth, Women’s and most recently Men’s teams," City said in a statement. Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Edwina GibbsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Rado Vidosic, Aurelio Vidmar, Vidosic, Patrick Kisnorbo, Vidmar, City, Ian Ransom, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: MELBOURNE, Melbourne City, United Arab, League, Central Coast Mariners, Premier League, Manchester City, Adelaide United, Western United, Former Australia, Socceroos, Adelaide, Melbourne Victory, Victory, Thomson Locations: United Arab Emirates, City, Adelaide, Melbourne

☆ Mexico game Souttar's chance to 'show world what he can do', says Arnold
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"My message to him is simple and that is this is your stage," said Arnold. "He's got to use that motivation to go out there and show everyone that's watching this game who Harry Souttar is and everyone will remember him from the World Cup. The game is the latest in a series of high profile friendlies for the Australians, who played World Cup winners Argentina in Beijing in June and are lined up to face England at Wembley in October. Arnold will be without Mathew Leckie after the Melbourne City forward was injured in training, ruling him out for at least six weeks. Reporting by Michael Church in Hong Kong, Editing by Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Graham Arnold, Harry Souttar, Souttar, Enzo Maresca, Cameron Burgess, Arnold, He's, he's, Mathew Leckie, it's, Michael Church, Michael Perry Organizations: Socceroos, Leicester City, Premier League, January's, Leicester, Argentina, England, Wembley, Melbourne City, Thomson Locations: Australia, Mexico, Dallas, Qatar, Leicester, Beijing, Melbourne, Hong Kong

☆ Matildas to look back in pride after thrilling host nation
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

England's second goal may haunt Ellie Carpenter, whose failure to clear an innocuous long ball opened the door for Lauren Hemp to swoop. Distraught midfielder Katrina Gorry worried the Matildas had let the nation down after building them up on their first run to a World Cup semi-finals. "The joyride is over, but the glow will long remain," sports columnist Greg Baum wrote in Melbourne's The Age newspaper. Since being awarded the right to host the tournament with New Zealand three years ago, Australian soccer officials have promised repeatedly that the World Cup would leave a strong legacy for the game. Long-term, it remains to be seen whether the World Cup has moved the needle for a sport in Australia that has modest professional leagues and struggles to retain talent.

Persons: Sam Kerr, Hannah Mckay, Sam Kerr's, England's, Ellie Carpenter, Lauren Hemp, Lax, Katrina Gorry, Gorry, Greg Baum, Kerr, Vine, Ange Postecoglou, Ian Ransom, Jamie Freed Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, England, Rights MELBOURNE, Stadium Australia, Spain, Sweden, Olympic, Canada, Nigeria, Australia, France, Australian Rules, New Zealand, Seven Network, league, Socceroos, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Australia, Sydney, England, Denmark, Canada, Melbourne

☆ Australia Women's World Cup: After Barbie, the Matildas became the new heroes in cleats
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

But now, seemingly in the blink of an eye, we’re all wearing green and gold for our newest heroes, Australia’s Women’s World Cup hopefuls, the Matildas. Sam Kerr takes the ball during a FIFA World Cup 2023 round of 16 match between Australia and Denmark at Stadium Australia on August 7. “A lot of people just frankly don’t want to believe women’s sport is doing well,” Lassey told CNN. Football Australia said part of the rationale for bringing the Women’s World Cup to Australia was to use it to grow the women’s game – backed by a 357 million Australian dollar ($232 million) FIFA legacy fund. Argus says the World Cup is a turning point for women’s sport because the turnout and viewing numbers have proven that there’s an enthusiastic audience.

Persons: Barbie, Margot Robbie, Greta Gerwig, Australia’s, they’ve, Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler, Caitlin Foord, Hayley Raso, Daniela Porcelli, “, ”, Jackie Schougaard, Alfred Hotel, “ Everyone’s, It’s, Jason Lassey, –, ” Lassey, Matildas, —, “ I’m, Hannah Mckay, Bruce McAvaney, I’m, Maddie Meyer, Kevin Argus, ” Argus, we’ve, Lassey, We’re, Robbie, Gerwig, Barbie ”, ” Gerwig Organizations: Australia CNN, Neighbours, Hollywood, Chelsea, FIFA, Stadium Australia, France, Brisbane, Caxton, Footy Industry, –, AFL, Australian Football League, CNN, Denmark, Sydney, Football Australia, team, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, RMIT, Socceroos, ”, “, Australian Broadcasting Corporation Locations: Brisbane, Australia, Denmark, Melbourne

☆ Australia's call for World Cup prize equity adds fuel to fire in women's game
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The Matildas called out gender disparity in World Cup prize money in a video message released on Monday, ensuring the topic will stay front-and-centre days before the tournament kicks off on their home turf and in New Zealand. The team went on strike in 2015 to demand better pay and have received the same minimum percentage of prize money for tournaments as their male counterparts since 2019. The statement comes amid upheaval across women's soccer, with players demanding better pay and playing conditions across the globe. The governing body previously said it aimed for prize money parity by the next World Cups in 2026 and 2027. Reporting by Amy Tennery in Auckland, additional reporting by Lori Ewing; editing by Clare FallonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Olivia Chance, Rebecca Sowden, Christina Philippou, England's, Megan Rapinoe, Amy Tennery, Lori Ewing, Clare Fallon Organizations: AUCKLAND, United States, Socceroos, FIFA, New Zealand, Reuters, Australian, University of Portsmouth, Football Association, Thomson Locations: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Jamaica, Qatar, Brazilian, Norway, New, Auckland

☆ Viral ad makes gender statement as Matildas call for equal prizes in Women's World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Brisbane, Australia CNN —Days out from the start of the Women’s World Cup, teams are turning up the pressure on the sport’s governing body and spectators to give women players equal pay and respect. The women players say it’s not enough. “Many football ‘fans,’ without ever having watched women’s football, have strong opinions about the level of the players,” according to according to trade journal Marketing Communication News. At the end, it’s revealed that viewers have been watching members of the women’s team. “What we need to reach equality and justice on the pitch and beyond is a gender revolution.”Sakina Karchaoui of France in action during a friendly match between Australia and Canada ahead of the FIFA Women's World Cup in Melbourne, Australia on 14 July, 2023.

Persons: it’s, Eugenie Le Sommer of France, Baptiste Fernandez, Marcel, “, Stacey Pope, Mark Avellino, …, —, Gianni Infantino, ”, Infantino Organizations: Australia CNN, Orange, French national, Zealand, FIFA, Tallaght, Communication, Football, French Women’s, Durham University, Australian, Twitter, Australia, Socceroos, ”, FIFA Women’s Locations: Brisbane, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Eden, Qatar, Ireland, France, Tallaght, Orange, French, United Kingdom, Canada, Melbourne

☆ Lionel Messi scores fastest goal of his career with stunning effort after 79 seconds
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The 35-year-old led his country to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar last year, arguably the crowning triumph in one of the greatest football careers. “We always enjoy being with the national team,” Messi said afterwards. “Now there are World Cup qualifiers and the Copa America, it’s getting too ahead of yourself thinking about the next World Cup. Messi maniaDespite struggling with his club team Paris Saint-Germain last season, Thursday’s goal continues Messi’s excellent form for the Argentina national team. He finished the second top scorer at last year’s World Cup with seven goals and also provided three assists.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, “ Messi, Emiliano Martínez, Germán, ” Messi, it’s, you’ve, Germain, “ Messi ”, d’Or Organizations: CNN, Australia, American, CONMEBOL, ”, Real Betis, Copa America, Socceroos, Paris Saint, Argentina national, Workers, Barcelona, Weibo, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, PSG, Indonesia Locations: Argentina, Qatar, Beijing, ” Argentina, China, United States, Jakarta

☆ 'In principle, I'm done', Messi unlikely to play at 2026 World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, June 14 (Reuters) - Argentina skipper Lionel Messi has said that "in principle" last year's World Cup would be his fifth and final appearance at global soccer's showpiece event. The 35-year-old forward led his country to a third World Cup triumph in Qatar last December, saying throughout the tournament that he would not be playing at another edition. This was my last World Cup," Messi told Titan Sports ahead of Argentina's friendly against Australia in Beijing. "I'll see how things go but in principle, I won't go to the next World Cup." I am very happy about his achievement, winning the recent UEFA Champions League," Messi told the Chinese sports paper in an interview.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Ballon, Pep Guardiola, Guardiola, Pep, Nick Mulvenney, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Titan Sports, Australia, Paris St Germain, Inter Miami, Barcelona, League, football's, Manchester City, UEFA Champions League, Socceroos, Workers, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Argentina, Qatar, United States, Canada, Mexico, Beijing, Paris, Sydney

☆ Messi to lead Argentina in friendly against Australia in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, May 22 (Reuters) - Argentina captain Lionel Messi will lead his side against Australia in a friendly in Beijing next month with his first visit to China in six years set to spark a mass scramble for tickets. The Argentina embassy in China said on Monday that the World Cup winners would play Australia on June 15, bringing Messi to the country for the first time since 2017. Messi has received a fervent welcome on each of his previous visits to China, which has a huge soccer fan base despite the struggles of the men's national team. Since his first China trip in 2005, Messi has played for Argentina or his former club Barcelona in friendlies. The Spanish side beat Beijing Guoan 3-0 in a friendly in 2010.

☆ Australia FA pledges to "weed out" trouble-makers after violent pitch invasion
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-18 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MELBOURNE, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Football Australia (FA) has launched an investigation into the violent pitch invasion that left a player injured during the abandoned A-League derby between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City. The pitch invasion shocked Australian soccer, with Socceroos goalkeeper Danny Vukovic, who plays for A-League side Central Coast Mariners, describing it as the "darkest day for football in Australia". Melbourne Victory managing director Caroline Carnegie said the club would assist a police investigation into the incident and apologised to Glover, King and the camera operator. "There’s no place at our club, no place in the game, no place in the league for that sort of behaviour." The pitch invasion occurred amid a fan backlash against the A-League's decision to sell its men's and women's title-deciding Grand Final matches to Sydney until 2025.

☆ The US may have lost in the World Cup, but soccer is more popular than ever in America
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Harry Enten | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +36 min

The Atlas Lions made history as the first African team to reach a World Cup semifinal. They made history as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. It was Morocco's first World Cup win since 1998 — and its third-ever at the tournament. Less spoken about is that they also rate better on television than the men do in the World Cup. We’ll just have to wait and see, though with the US, Canada and Mexico hosting the 2026 World Cup, soccer isn’t going away anytime soon.

☆ Croatia beats Japan on penalties to reach World Cup quarterfinals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +28 min

CNN —Goalkeeper Dominik Livaković made himself a national hero as Croatia beat Japan on penalties 1-1 (3-1) to reach the World Cup quarterfinals. Marko Djurica/ReutersJapan’s heartbreakDespite its defeat, Japan can look back at an impressive World Cup campaign. They made history Thursday as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. Mbappé was one of the leading stars of the team's World Cup triumph four years ago. He also became just the third goalkeeper to save three penalties in a single World Cup shootout.

☆ Heartbroken Australia bow out with heads held high
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"I just hope that everyone back in Australia really respects what we've done," said coach Graham Arnold. Indefatigable running, cohesiveness and pure Aussie grit had earned them back-to-back victories at the World Cup finals for the first time, surpassing even the hallowed 'Golden Generation' side of 2006. They just scraped into the tournament via two playoffs and departed for Qatar with the lowest expectations of any of the six Australia squads who have embarked on World Cup finals campaigns since 1974. On an individual level, young players like central defender Harry Souttar and Goodwin have proved they can mix it with the best in the world. Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ France reaches World Cup quarterfinals with 3-1 victory over Poland as Kylian Mbappé breaks Pelé’s record
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +30 min

CNN —France was made to work hard for its place in the World Cup quarterfinals, overcoming an improved Poland side 3-1 thanks to goals from Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappé. That is Mbappé’s fifth goal of Qatar 2022 and already his ninth World Cup goal overall, breaking Pelé’s record of seven World Cup goals scored before the age of 24. They made history Thursday as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. Issei Kato/Reuters Kylian Mbappé scores his second goal on November 26, leading France to a 2-1 victory over Denmark. Mbappé was one of the leading stars of the team's World Cup triumph four years ago.

☆ USMNT’s youth and talent at Qatar 2022 bodes well for 2026 World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +31 min

The Netherlands knocked the USMNT out of the Qatar World Cup on Saturday. They made history Thursday as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. Frappert became the first woman to referee a men's World Cup match. It was Morocco's first World Cup win since 1998 — and its third-ever at the tournament. Qatar is the first Islamic country to host a World Cup.

☆ Japan vs. Croatia: Samurai Blue aiming to reach World Cup quarterfinals for first time
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +31 min

CNN —In a World Cup of surprises, Japan has played a leading role in headline-making shock results. Croatia is a team undefeated in nine of its last 10 World Cup matches. They made history Thursday as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. Frappert became the first woman to referee a men's World Cup match. It was Morocco's first World Cup win since 1998 — and its third-ever at the tournament.

☆ Lionel Messi scores in 1000th career game as Argentina reaches World Cup quarterfinals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Lionel Messi scored in what was the 1,000th game of his storied career as Argentina beat Australia 2-1 to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals. In the second half, Julián Álvarez capitalized on some slack goalkeeping by Australia stopper Mat Ryan to score his second goal of the tournament and extend Argentina’s lead. Those fans were soon crooning even more loudly when Messi curled a beautiful, left-footed effort past Australian keeper Ryan following a slick Argentina moved. After the break, Argentina began to turn on the style, though La Albiceleste’s second goal stemmed from hard work and pressing. With Australia pushing for a second goal, Argentina had an opportunities to catch the Socceroos on the break, with Lautaro Martínez missing numerous opportunities to seal the game.

☆ Messi scores in milestone match as Argentina reach World Cup quarters
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Martin Petty | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi scored his first goal in a World Cup knockout round on his 1,000th career appearance to beat Diego Maradona's tournament tally for Argentina as they beat off a late Australia fightback to win 2-1 on Saturday and reach the quarter-finals. Messi put Argentina ahead after 35 minutes with a coolly taken strike low into the corner for his 94th international goal to pass the great Maradona's eight World Cup goals, in a match where he was instrumental in almost every Argentine attack. Lifted throughout by rapturous, overwhelmingly Argentine support that sang and bounced in unison on all sides of the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Argentina pressed and finally made the breakthrough. After Goodwin's deflected shot found the net, there was a real prospect of extra time in a stadium where the Socceroos had booked their World Cup place via a penalty shootout in an intercontinental playoff earlier this year. Argentina looked dangerous late on as they battled for a third goal, with Lautaro Martinez firing wide before substitute Garang Kuol missed with seconds left in stoppage time.

☆ Analysis: Messi carries the load to help Argentina into the quarter-finals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | Hritika Sharma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

DOHA, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Argentina reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup with a 2-1 win over Australia on Saturday but they were taken right down to the wire and might not want to consider what may have happened without Lionel Messi on the pitch. Messi marked his 1,000th professional game with his 789th goal - his first in a knockout match at the World Cup - and almost everything good that Argentina created going forward went through the little number 10. It was always going to be a tough game against a Socceroos team who muscled their way into the knockout stages with a brand of football that relied on each player covering huge swathes of turf and tackling anything that moved. Emiliano Martinez also had a good night and capped his fine display in the Argentina goal by stopping Garang Kuol's goalbound shot from close range with a save in the final seconds. The target is to finally add the World Cup to his already glittering collection of trophies and it would take a brave man to bet against him doing it.

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