Argentina (4-1-2-3)
Emiliano Martinez (GK) For 96 minutes the Aston Villa goalkeeper was notable only for the Argentinian flag dyed onto the side of his head. But in the 97th minute he reacted magnificently to deny Garang Kuol one-on-one and secure his country’s passage. 7
Nahuel Molina (RB) Like most of Argentina’s defensive-minded players Molina’s job for most of the night was to keep the ball in motion and not lose concentration. Job done. 6
Cristian Romero (CB) Untroubled by Mitchell Duke’s physicality and Australia’s direct lines of attack but remains a surprise selection ahead of Lisandro Martinez. 6
Nicolás Otamendi (CB) The veteran was busy at both ends of the pitch, defending stoutly, attempting 97 passes, and playing his part in the opening goal by providing a screen for Lionel Messi, then getting out of his captain’s way. 7
Marcos Acuña (LB) Plenty of collisions, theatrics, and dangerous crosses in an eye-catching display from the chunky little bull down the left. Acuña looks and plays like he was designed in a lab to fit the prototype of a South American World Cup bruiser. 7
Rodrigo De Paul (CM) Demonstrated plenty of graft in midfield to ensure his side was never bullied by Australia. It was his hustle that forced Mat Ryan into the catastrophic error that led to the second goal. 7
Enzo Fernández (CM) Just 21 years old and with only three international caps coming into the tournament, the Benfica regista was Argentina’s metronome. Nobody on the field touched the ball more often, and his 100 passes were executed with 92% efficiency. The only criticism would be how safe most of those passes were, circulating play from one side to the other without offering much incision. Credited with an own goal but he could do little about the massive deflection as he charged out to block Craig Goodwin’s shot. 7
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Alexis Mac Allister (CM) Busy and neat in the first half without taking the game by the scruff of the neck. Played his part in the opening goal, providing the two to Messi’s one as the ball came infield and the legend darted towards the box. 6
Papu Gómez (LW) The veteran was a late bolter for the squad, and then a surprise stand-in for the injured Angel Di Maria. He only lasted 50 minutes before he was sacrificed for Lisandro Martinez and a change of shape, but in that time he contributed to the opening goal by knocking the headed clearance from the corner on the volley to Messi with excellent technique. 6
Lionel Messi (AM) In his 1,000th professional match Messi scored his 94th goal for for his country, and his first in a World Cup knockout. The goal was of the type you see when you close your eyes and dream of Messi; a slow build-up, a quicksilver change of pace, a one-two around the box, then a side-foot into the far corner beyond the goalkeeper. Around the goal it wasn’t his finest night. He looked fatigued and spent most of the game walking, but still head and shoulders the most dangerous player on the park. 8
Julián Álvarez (RW) The Manchester City youngster burnished his growing reputation with an energetic display that showed he will not shirk the rough and tumble. His goal ultimately proved the difference, and it was a smart finish after Ryan clumsily tried to run the ball out of his six-yard box. 7
Substitutes:
Lisandro Martinez (50) Brought on just after the break to turn a back four into a five and his inclusion was justified late on with a trademark last-ditch block to deny Aziz Behich. 7
Nicolás Tagliafico (71) Dragged a good opportunity wide to seal the victory shortly after coming on. Didn’t seem to trust his speed to get closer to goal or his technique to beat Ryan from the edge of the box. 5
Lautaro Martinez (71) How do you rate a striker who repeatedly finds himself in the right position to score but then fails to execute in front of goal? In a 20-minute cameo the Inter forward pulled off the shoulder of the last defender time and again but side-footed over with only Ryan to beat, then shot straight at the keeper, before having a deflected effort saved. 6
Gonzalo Montiel and Exequiel Palacios (80) Brought on late to secure a narrow victory. n/a
Australia (4-5-1)
Mat Ryan (GK) A disastrous night for Australia’s captain on the occasion of his national record 10th World Cup appearance. He had little chance stopping Messi’s opener, but he was badly at fault for Argentina’s second, trying to dribble out of his six-yard box and succumbing to the pincer movement of De Paul and Álvarez. Some good saves late on demonstrated strength of character, but this result will weigh heavy on his head. 5
Miloš Degenek (RB) The third of Australia’s three right-backs this World Cup played his part in a robust defensive showing. His head-to-head with Acuña was classic World Cup theatre. 6
Harry Souttar (CB) It has been a memorable tournament for the giant centre-half and again he did not disgrace himself against storied opposition. Graham Arnold will be disappointed the Stoke City defender wasn’t more of a threat from set pieces. 7
Kye Rowles (CB) At times this tournament the gangly central defender has looked like a juvenile giraffe coming to terms with the length of his limbs, but his partnership with Souttar held firm for most of the night. The highlight was when he stood his ground to deny Messi a sight of goal when the Argentinian was weaving his magic. The lowlight was his role playing Ryan into difficulty, from which his keeper never escaped. 6
Aziz Behich (LB) Australia’s most dynamic presence, Behich was always willing to get forward from fullback, relished the scrap, and so nearly scored one of the all-time World Cup wonder goals before Martinez slid in to break Australian hearts. His industry and cross led to the clearance that allowed Goodwin to strike Australia’s consolation goal, but his hot-headedness also precipitated Argentina’s opener when, after squaring up to Messi on the touchline he allowed Gomez to draw a foul in a dangerous area that ultimately led to the goal. 7
Mathew Leckie (RM) As hardworking as ever but denied time and space by Argentina’s control of possession. 6
Aaron Mooy (CM) So often Australia’s most influential force, the Celtic schemer was below par tonight. His range of passing was limited by Argentina’s territorial dominance and he was unable to hit targets from deep. As has been the case all World Cup his set-pieces were poor, preventing Souttar from capitalising on an obvious strength. 5
Keanu Baccus (CM) Brought in to stiffen Australia’s midfield, he was busy early on, keeping a close eye on Messi, as Australia held their own. Drifted as the game wore on and offered nothing at all in possession. The obvious player to be substituted after Argentina’s second goal went in. 5
Jackson Irvine (CM) Played further forward than in the three previous matches but that didn’t prevent another all-action display. He set the tone with a yellow card after just 15 minutes but never stopped trying to support Duke in attack or helping out his defence. He leaves Qatar with his reputation enhanced. 6
Riley McGree (LM) It’s hard to know what to make of McGree’s tournament. Tonight he put in a shift wide on the left but failed to make any attacking impact, consistent with a World Cup full of endeavour but only glimpses of quality. Sacrificed after an hour for Goodwin, before which he sent over Australia’s first corner of the month to find Souttar’s forehead. 5
Mitchell Duke (CF) Chased every lost cause and got through a mountain of work as Australia’s sole target up front, but never looked like threatening Argentina’s defence. 5
Substitutes:
Ajdin Hrustic (58) The playmaker came into this World Cup his country’s brightest prospect but injury denied him a fast start and he has never caught up. Ineffective again tonight off the bench. 5
Craig Goodwin (58) Another Australian to leave the World Cup with his name in lights. He injected pace as a substitute and gambled with his speculative shot from the edge of the box that was deflected past Martinez. Another guilty of poor set-piece delivery. 6
Garang Kuol (72) Australia’s youngest ever male World Cup performer had the country on its feet in the 97th minute and only the keeper to beat, but Martinez was too big and strong to deny the fairytale ending. 5
Jamie Maclaren (72) Made little impression off the bench. This side is not set up for a nippy No 9 who plays in behind. 5
Fran Karačić (72) Did his job after coming on, including a nice interception to deny Martinez. 6
