- Messi made 1,000th career appearance
- Scored first WC knockout goal
- Put team ahead vs Australia
WHAT HAPPENED? Messi latched onto Nicolas Otamendi's set up following a pass in the box from Alexis Mac Allister, before steering the ball past Mathew Ryan and into the far corner to give Argentina an early lead in Al Rayyan. Despite a late goal from the Socceroos, Australia held on to win by an eventual 2-1 scoreline.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: In the 1,000th game of his career, the boy from Rosario notched his first-ever goal in the knockout stages of a World Cup. Messi's strike against Australia was his third of the tournament in Qatar, which put his side ahead after a valiant start from the Socceroos.
WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI? The 35-year-old's strike helped see Argentina through to the quarter-finals, where they will play the Netherlands after their 3-1 victory over the USMNT earlier on Saturday.
