Lionel Messi leads Argentina to quarter final after victory over Australia
Full Time: Argentina 2 Australia 1
22:01 CET: Before we round off this live commentary, let's take a look at the match stats from this game - something dominated by Lionel Messi.
21:58 CET: Despite that late, late chance for Australia, it was the Argentines who deserved their win and progression into the next round of the tournament. Lionel Messi showed his class during a quiet first half with a goal in the 35th minute. The second 45 did open up and Julian Alvarez caught Australia stopped Matthew Ryan napping to tuck home his side's second.
An own goal from Enzo Fernandez gave Australia hope but in the end it was Messi who had the final say.
Check out our full report from this game, written by Tom Cunningham, for all the finer details.
Second Half
97': CHANCE FOR AUSTRALIA! Late on, but Kuol has a wonderful opportunity one-on-one with Emi Martinez, but the goalkeeper stands firm and makes a vital save!
94': Messi then nearly finishes it himself. A lovely little run ends in a shot that shaves the upright. It would have been a classic Messi goal, but still Australia hope. Another chance for Argentina, but Ryan saves from Martinez again. They are peppering the goal.
93': Matt Ryan to the rescue, keeping Australia in the game with a big save from Lautaro Martinez.
90': Seven minutes for Argentina to progress, six minutes for Australia to find a goal.
89': Argentina keeping the ball brilliantly, and they should be out of sight as Messi tees up Lautaro Martinez perfectly, but his shot is dreadful and goes wide of the mark. He really should have ended the game there.
85': Five minutes to go, time for Australia to throw the kitchen sink at Argentina.
81': Aziz Behich, you nearly scored the goal of your life! He slaloms through three challenges only for his shot to be blocked as he is one-on-one with the goalkeeper. It would have been one of the goals of the tournament.
79': Just more than 10 minutes to go in this clash and the nerves are building. Argentina make their final two subs with Alexis Mac Allister and Nahuel Molina both coming off for Exequil Palacios and Gonzalo Montiel.
77': A LIFELINE FOR AUSTRALIA FROM CRAIG GOODWIN!
Australia have a massive stroke of luck, but they won't care as they have a goal back. The ball cannons off of a defender from Goodwin's shot and it wrong foots Emi Martinez to halve the deficit. An own goal has been decided for that goal off the back of Enzo Fernandez.
75': The two most recent substitutes from Argentina link up but Tagliafico's shot goes well wide.
73': Australia go one better and make a triple change. Garang Kuol, Fran Karacic and Jamie Maclaren all on for the Socceroos in favour of Mitchell Duke, Milos Degenek and Matthew Leckie. On the pitch, Lautaro Martinez has a half chance to get in on goal but the defence mop it up for Australia.
71': Argentina's turn to make a double change. Goalscorer Julian Alvarez is off for Lautaro Martinez whilst Marcos Acuna is replaced by Nicolas Tagliafico.
69': Australia's ploy now seems to be go long to their two tall strikers. However, so far, it is yet to work. Twenty minutes to go and it's not looking great for the Socceroos.
67': Craig Goodwin has a free kick from a good position, but Emi Martinez is equal to it.
65': A corner now for Argentina, worked short in front of their supporters, but nothing comes of it. The play from Messi before that was mesmerising as he beats three or four defenders.
62': A free kick for Australia is sent in by Adjin Hrustic, but he can only find an Argentina player and they get it clear.
58': Double change after the goal for Australia with Keanu Baccus and Riley McGree off with Craig Goodwin and Ajdin Hrustic on.
57': ALVAREZ HAS ARGENTINA'S SECOND!
Oh Matthew Ryan, what are you doing? It's so sloppy from the Australia goalkeeper, and the ball is poached off him by Alvarez, who has the simplest of finishes. That could be the game.
53': There are certainly more gaps in the second half for Argentina to exploit as Australia search for a leveller. The South Americans are now playing with a back three since the arrival of Lisandro Martinez. Mitchell Duke is pressing well and nearly robs Martinez again!
51': A chance for Messi on the edge of the box, but his shot lacks power and Mat Ryan can deal with it comfortably.
50': First change in the game and it is from Argentina. They bring on Lisandro Martinez for Papu Gomez. A forward for a defender - interesting.
48': Emi Martinez takes a gamble by holding onto the ball a bit too long and Mitchell Duke nearly makes him pay, but the keeper just gets it clear. Australia are pressing higher at the start of this second half.
47': No changes at the break for either side.
46': Back under way, can Australia step up and start to put more pressure on Argentina?
Half Time
20:51 CET: Here are the first half statistics, which as we have said already has not been action-packed.
20:47 CET: It's not been a classic with just three attempts on goal in the first half, but we have been treated to a classic moment from the one of the best of all time, Lionel Messi. His goal in the 35th minute lit up the stadium and was the one piece of quality we have seen between the two sides.
Although a goal down, Australia will be satisfied that their gameplay has worked other than Messi's goal and they will feel in the game during the second half against Argentina.
First Half
45': Just the two minutes of added time at the end of the first half.
41': The Argentine fans inside the stadium are all on their feet and not because of the action on the pitch. They are chanting and bouncing in unison, creating one of the best noises of this World Cup.
38': The noise is palpable within the stadium as they sing Messi's name. Milos Degenek picks up the second booking for Australia and he will miss the next game if they make it that far.
35': WHO ELSE? MESSI GIVES ARGENTINA THE LEAD!
It's superbly worked from Argentina, where some wondeful interplay allows Messi to wrap his left foot around the ball and slot it into the bottom left corner. The stadium erupts for a genius.
32': Free kick for Australia now in a good area, but Aaron Mooy is unable to do anything with it. Set plays will be Australia's best bet for a goal and they need to make the most of them.
29': From a corner, Harry Souttar wins a header but can't beat the defender, who blocks it. Argentina will be worried by the centre half's presence from now on.
27': Australia building into this one, making more passes and building confidence. Irvine tries to drive into the box, but it's cleared. They are starting to build something.
24': Aaron Mooy to take the set piece - a great chance to challenge for the Socceroos - but it is cleared by Argentina.
23': Just 21% possession for the Australians so far, but they are currently having their best spell on the ball. Matthew Lecke sends a pass into the box and it's cleared for a corner.
20': A flicker of an opening for Australia, but that is quickly snuffed out and normal service resumes.
17': Papu Gomez tries his luck from distance as Australia are giving Argentina no space through the middle. High and wide. That was the first attempt of the game.
16': Forget about it being quiet - the Argentine fans are literally bouncing - they are the stars of the early going.
15': First booking of the game and unsurprisingly it goes to Australia. St Pauli's Jackson Irvine is the culprit for a late challenge. If they do beat Australia, he will not be part of the quarter-final clash against the Netherlands.
13': If the stadium was loud before kick off, it has quitened down due to the slow start. It does make you wonder how long it will be before we start to hear some frustration from the stands.
10': First ball over the top from Argentina as Otamendi tries to find Julian Alvarez. However, the striker can't bring it under control.
9': Messi is fouled by Keanu Baccus in one of those 'let him know you're there' challenges. Everyone knows where Messi is tonight, that's for sure.
7': The pattern of play feels set already with Australia sitting back and soaking up the pressure. Argentina are yet to breach them, but this style will suit them.
4': We had a pretty methodical start to the first round of 16 game and it seems like we may get the same here between the two sides with them both taking their time to ease themselves in. Australia are sat in two lines of four, trying to limit the space for the ever-threatening Messi. A small shout for handball for Argentina, nothing doing.
2': This is the first time these two sides have met in a World Cup. Australia will need to be deadly organised if they are to prevail.
1': An incredible atmosphere has greeted the players at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, now it's time to see whether the game can match it. Away we go.
Pre-match
19:55 CET: Time for the anthems as both teams are out on the pitch. It is bouncing!
19:44 CET: Remember that whoever wins tonight will take on the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
19:35 CET: Under 25 minutes to go until kick off and both sides have been out on the pitch warming up. Both sides have been well supported throughout this tournament and so their will be a raucous atmosphere in the stadium tonight.
19:20 CET: As ever at Flashscore, we have plenty of pre-match reading for you. Today, the focus is only on one player: Lionel Messi. Read about how tonight could be one of the biggest challenges of his career.
Team News
Argentina: E Martinez, Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna, De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Messi, Alvarez, Gomez
Australia: Ryan, Degenek, Souttar, Rowles, Behich, Baccus, Mooy, Irvine, Leckie, Duke, McGree
Introduction
In a sport where longevity in almost unattainable, Lionel Messi's achievement to play his 1,000th career game in a World Cup knockout round, shows just how incredible he has been over a career spanning nearly 20 years.
But tonight, he won't be worried about as his Argentina side - a team that he is obviously the talisman of - face Australia. The Socceroos will be proud of their achievement to see off Denmark in their group to make it this far, but now they face a totally different challenge.
If you would like to listen to the game, you can catch our audio commentary from 19:55 CET.
Team news will be available shortly.