World Football

Lionel Messi further cemented his legendary status Saturday, as his goal in the first half helped Argentina defeat Australia 2-1 in the round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Playing in his 1,000th career match, Messi made magic again, sneaking a ball through multiple defenders and past goalkeeper Mathew Ryan with his left foot in the 35th minute:

The goal was historic for many reasons, at it marked Messi's first in the World Cup knockout rounds, put him past Diego Maradona for the second-most goals by an Argentine at the World Cup and gave him 789 career goals across all competitions:

Messi's goal was also his third of the tournament.

Given the low probability that Messi's strike would find the back of the net Saturday, fans marveled at his continued elite level of play and ability to carry the burden for Argentina on the international stage:

In what is expected to be Messi's final World Cup, La Albiceleste entered the tournament as one of the top contenders to win it all.

Argentina got off to a nightmarish start, though, losing its opener to Saudi Arabia 2-1. Since then, Messi and Argentina have been on a roll, reeling off wins over Mexico, Poland and Australia.

While Argentina is one of only six nations to win multiple World Cups, it has not done so since 1986. It came close in 2014 with Messi leading the way, but Germany won after extra time in the final.

Now, Argentina is just three wins from winning its third World Cup, and it may have as good of a chance as any team remaining because of how Messi has been playing.

Messi and Argentina's next chance to take another step toward the trophy will come Friday against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.

Argentina and the Netherlands finalized the first quarterfinal matchup at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Saturday.

The Dutch's 3-1 victory over the United States men's national meant they became the tournament's first quarterfinalist.

Argentina rode goals from Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez into the final eight, as it eliminated Australia in Saturday's second game.

The quarterfinal showdown between the European and South American sides marks the sixth time they have faced each other in the World Cup. In their last meeting, Argentina eliminated the Dutch in the 2014 semifinals on penalties.

Over the next three days, the Dutch and Argentinians will be joined by six other teams in the final eight. England and France can book their places in the quarterfinals on Sunday.

Saturday's Results

Argentina 2, Australia 1

Argentina methodically put away Australia to earn its fourth quarterfinal berth in the last five World Cups.

Lionel Messi used a moment of magic in the 35th minute to put the Albiceleste in front. Messi continued his run from the left wing after a failed free kick and slotted home through a pair of defenders and into the back of the net.

Messi's 35th-minute tally was his first-ever goal in the World Cup knockout stages. That statistic was hard to believe since he has been an integral part of Argentina's national team for over a decade.

Julián Álvarez padded the lead in the 57th minute after some disastrous decision-making by Matt Ryan in front of the Soccerros goal. Ryan kept the ball at his feet too long and allowed the pressure by Rodrigo De Paul and Álvarez to force him into a mistake.

Álvarez's goal ended up meaning more to Argentina once the Aussies found the back of the net in the 77th minute. Craig Goodwin lashed a shot from outside the box and took a deflection on its way past Emiliano Martinez.

The tally eventually went down as an Enzo Fernandez on goal, but that was all the Aussies could muster, despite some late pressure, against an Argentinian defense that came into Saturday with two straight clean sheets.

Messi and Co. will try to make it back to the semifinals with a win on Friday that could set up an all-South American clash with Brazil in the final four. Brazil plays South Korea and then the Japan-Croatia winner if it wins in the Round of 16.

Netherlands 3, United States 1

The Netherlands ended the United States' run in Qatar with a few attacking moves that capitalized on mistakes by the American back line.

Memphis Depay put the Dutch in front in the 10th minute, when he ran into a pocket of space at the top of the box and easily beat Matt Turner.

The Oranje defended for most of the first half after Memphis' opening strike. They doubled their advantage right before halftime, as Daley Blind beat Sergiño Dest to a ball that came off a Netherlands throw-in.

The Americans controlled the possession battle in the first half, but they only had two significant chances in the first 45 minutes. Christian Pulisic missed a golden opportunity in the opening minutes and Timothy Weah had a shot from distance turned away before the second Dutch goal.

The Americans were more progressive in the final third in the second half thanks to the additions of Gio Reyna, Brenden Aaronson and Haji Wright.

Wright put the Americans on the scoreboard in the 76th minute with a goal off his back heel. The tally came minutes after Wright blew a potential open goal with a poor first touch.

The USMNT's hope did not last long, as Denzel Dumfires scored in the 81st minute on another defensive breakdown by the Americans. Dumfries was one of the best Dutch players on the field inside the Khalifa International Stadium.

The Dutch advanced to at least the semifinals in their last two World Cups in 2010 and 2014. A win over Argentina would get them there for a third straight appearance when qualifying for the World Cup, after shockingly missing out in the 2018 edition.

Sunday Schedule

France vs. Poland (10 a.m. ET, FS1)

England vs. Senegal (2 p.m. ET, FS1)

United States men's national team manager Gregg Berhalter received a bevy of criticism for his decision-making in the USMNT's 3-1 loss to Netherlands on Saturday that knocked the Americans out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Berhalter opted to start Jesus Ferreira, who did not appear in the group stage, at the forward position with Josh Sargent unavailable due to an ankle injury suffered against Iran.

Ferreira only made it through one half of Saturday's loss and made little impact on the contest.

Berhalter replaced Ferreira with Gio Reyna at halftime. The Borussia Dortmund immediately brought a boost to the USMNT attack.

Berhalter was also criticized for the lack of attacking options to help the USMNT come back from deficits. Haji Wright scored off the bench but didn't manage to produce consistently.

The United States will likely have a guaranteed spot at the next World Cup in 2026 as hosts along with Canada and Mexico, and expectations will be high for whomever the coach is to get past this hurdle and deeper into the knockout rounds.