Argentina-Australia, World Cup 2022: live TV, likely formations,

ARGENTINA – AUSTRALIA | Saturday 8pm

The shock debut against Saudi Arabia, a defeat that in Buenos Aires and the surrounding area will be hard to forget for years to come, did not prevent Argentina from bringing home the first objective of the Qatar expedition: to qualify for the round of 16 by winning Group B. Gone, then, is the great fear. Now Lionel Scaloni’s selection, among the big favourites on the eve of the match, can dream big again. Messi and his teammates did not fret – even though they had to deal with the upset of the resounding comeback against the Saudis – and brilliantly overcame the two remaining tests, Mexico and Poland, both beaten 2-0. The France bogeyman was also avoided. Yes, because if Argentina had finished second, they would have faced the reigning world champions, in a remake of the match played four years ago in Russia.

In the round of 16 they will instead face Australia, in a confrontation that is usually seen at rugby level but which is absolutely unprecedented in the context of a World Cup. And the mind cannot but go back to the historic USA ’94 qualification play-off, when the Selección was forced to pass through the playoff forks to fly to the States. Two matches which, among other things, marked Diego Maradona’s return to playing football after the disastrous end to his time in Naples and his fleeting spell at Sevilla.

Scaloni’s winning moves

LToday, the driving force and talisman of this ambitious Albiceleste is undoubtedly captain Leo Messi, who has scored two goals (with the blemish of the penalty saved by Szczesny), aware that this is the last chance to lift the cup he only missed out on in Brazil in 2014. However, the so-called new recruits are also responding. The inclusion of Enzo Fernandez, for example, has given more balance to the midfield, the department most in trouble against Arabia. In attack, on the other hand, Scaloni seems to want to focus on Julian Alvarez, who has now taken the place of Inter player Lautaro Martinez. Another star player, perhaps less conspicuous than the others, is Brighton midfielder Mac Allister, who not surprisingly also ended up on the scoresheet against Poland.

The Socceroos to the round of 16 after sixteen years

The Australians’ joy after qualifying

From now on, however, no more mistakes are allowed. On pain of elimination. Australia, although a clear underdog on paper, has proved to be a very solid and organised team and should not be taken lightly. They managed to get away with a very complicated group, in which the domination of France and Denmark seemed a foregone conclusion. They had not, however, reckoned with the Socceroos, who returned to the top sixteen of a World Cup for the first time since 2006, when it was Francesco Totti’s penalty in extra time that extinguished their dreams. The two victories, both 1-0, against Tunisia and Denmark were decisive: neither was able to score a goal for Graham Arnold’s men.

The Australians finished on quita six points – the same as France, ahead on goal difference – and despite being without any big names (the two heroes are Duke and Leckie, who play for their homeland and Japan respectively) they are counting on giving Argentina a hard time with their aggressive, vertical football.

Argentina-Australia: latest line-up news

Argentina coach Scaloni’s big doubt lies in the presence of Di Maria. The Juventus-owned player is struggling with one of his usual muscle problems. He was injured in the match against Poland and it is not certain that he will recover for Australia: in his place, the selector could choose one of Dybala or Lautaro Martinez. Julian Alvarez, who was one of the best players on the pitch against the Poles, will be confirmed. In midfield, former Udinese captain De Paul will be assisted by Fernandez and Mac Allister, while in defence the quartet of Molina, Otamendi, Romero and Acuna will be back.

No changes in Australia’s eleven, which should take the field with the same formation that beat Denmark. The only ballot is in defence, where Brescia right-back Karacic will most likely take the place of equal-former Degenek.

The Prediction

Restructed after the resounding opening defeat, Argentina should not play any more tricks. Australia, notwithstanding the feat of Arnold’s selection – certainly noteworthy – is on paper one of the softest opponents the South Americans could have faced in the round of 16. The gap is obviously very wide, and the match for Messi and his teammates will probably go downhill as soon as the Selección find the first goal, using its immense quality as a pick to ‘crack’ the hermetic defence of the Australians. In our opinion, he should succeed as early as the first half, finishing both halves in the lead. It is likely that the goal will remain inviolate as it did against Mexico and Poland.