Argentina Match 50 Australia 3 December 2022 22:00 local time (11:00 AM PST / 2:00 PM EST) Venue: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar) - 45,032 capacity ------------------------------------------ Historical head-to-head record: 7 games played: 5 Argentina wins, 1 draw, 1 Australia win The two sides have never faced each other at the actual World Cup, but they did clash in a memorable, hard-fought interconfederational playoff for a spot in the 1994 World Cup. Following a humiliating 5-0 loss to Colombia a month earlier, Argentina were forced to play a home-and-away series against the Aussies for a place in USA '94. The first leg ended 1-1, with Albo scoring Argentina's only goal. The return match, played on Argentine soil, was also well-contested, with Argentina scraping a narrow 1-0 win thanks to a 59th minute own goal (deflection from a Batistuta cross). This playoff is famous for being Maradona's return to the NT, following his 1991 doping suspension and sequential differences with Basile (Coco excluded him from the 1993 Copa America and WCQ process). He ended up being decisive, recovering the ball and providing the assist that lead to Argentina's lone goal in the first leg. Fun fact: Carlos MacAllister (Alexis's dad) played the entire 180 minutes of the aforementioned series. Australia's only win took place in the 1988 Australian Bicentennial Gold Cup, where the "socceroos" clinched a 4-1 victory over an alternative Argentina side. The most recent encounter between the two sides was a 2007 friendly, which finished 1-0 in favor of Argentina (Demichelis header, assisted by la pulga). Messi, who started and was replaced in the 91st minute that day, is the only remaining player from that squad. Coincidentally, Basile (who had coached the two 1993 playoff games), was once again at the helm for this game. The other matches were two friendlies in the 90s (both ended 2-0 in Argentina's favor) and a 2005 Confederations Cup group game (4-2; Luciano Figueroa hattrick and Riquelme PK). ------------------------------------------ Australia's form leading up to the WC: - Finished third in Group B of the AFC WCQs' third round (behind Saudi Arabia and Japan), later defeating UAE 2-1 in a final playoff. This was followed by an interconfederational playoff vs. Peru (played in a single-match format), which they drew 0-0 before winning 5-4 on PKs to seal their qualification. In total, their qualifying campaign consisted of 13 wins, 4 draws, and 3 losses (2-1 and 2-0 defeats to Japan, and a 1-0 loss to Saudi Arabia) - Most recent AFC Asian Cup participation: 2019, lost in Quarterfinals to UAE - 5 most recent results: - September 2022: 1-0 W vs. New Zealand - September 2022: 2-0 W vs. New Zealand - November 2022: 1-4 L vs. France - November 2022: 1-0 W vs. Tunisia - November 2022: 1-0 W vs. Denmark
Never underestimate anyone, the most important lesson learned after Saudi Arabia. Anyway, I wouldn’t make many changes from the team that beat Poland.
I would go with the following vs Australia Dibu---Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico---A. Correa/Dybala, Paredes, Enzo, Palacios---Messi, Alvarez -Game is in 2 days, which is ridiculous so some subs are needed imo -Acuna has pubalgia so would like to rest him -RDP played and ran a lot recently, would like to rest him. -Di Maria has a discomfort so just leave him out
Good points, I think it would be useful to rest Di Maria, De Paul and Acuña. But Mac Allister still has a lot of running in him and is used to this kind of schedule and hard running in the PL -- Alvarez - Messi - Dybala -- MacAllister - Paredes - Enzo Tagli - Martinez - Otamendi - Molina ------------------Emi Romero is also a bit 'fragile' reminds me of Nesta for Italy at the start of the century in that sense. If Scaloni can get away with resting Di Maria, RDP, Acuña and Romero it would could come in handy as the tournament progresses. The important thing is not to take Australia lightly
I agree with resting ADM. We can't afford to lose him. Having said that, if Argentina wins Saturday, they will play next Friday, that will be enough time to rest everyone.
Easy and cool predictor. Some potentially tasty matches in 1/4 and semis. https://www.bein.com/predict/en/
One thing you have to say about Australia is they're incredibly opportunistic. Both of their wins basically turned on a single chance, the first one being a freak header off a deflected shot.
For all the writing off people are doing after the freak Saudi Arabia loss, Argentina are 2nd behind only France in expected goal differential. Australia are 2nd to last.
Anyone notice we will be in almost identical situation from 98 with potentially Holland in quarter, Brazil in semis, France in final
Dibu Molina - Otamendi - Romero/Licha - Acuña De Paul - Paredes - Enzo - Maca Messi - Julian Di Maria needs to rest. Paredes for him could look like a defensive sub but not really. I don't want Enzo as the sole 5, this gives him more freedom to go forward and create. We are going against a bunkering team, let's take care of possesion with lot of players in the center. Acuña and Molina wide open and Julian to attack the open space. I thought this formation is the one that looked the best yesterday. We have plenty of guns in the bench to revolutionize the second half if needed.
That finish he had at the end was beyond pathetic. I’m not sure if he’s confidence is shook or what but he normally scores those. But if he had that same opportunity in an another game down the road, he would be crucified.
It does crack me up that so many people are so upset that we are playing the Aussies. There is quite a bit of vitriol going on but let the haters get mad.
He's always like that misses a few then scores some extremely crisp finish. I just don't see Scaloni benching his main striker twice in a row. Also lautaro doesn't seem to suit impact sub role.
I honestly dont understand why Dybala hasnt gotten more oppertunities.. Its very frustrating. Last night was a good time to bring him on after the second goal, yet Scaloni went with Almeida.
Is anybody else not remotely nervous about this match? I mean, sure, anything can happen, but compared to the last couple of matches, I am not overly worried here.
I am always a bit worry, but we already had our Saudi Arabia moment. That goddamn loss might get a lot of credit for what could potentially happen.
Anyone can beat anyone but I think we're in a much better place than we were in game 1 when we were trotting Papu Gomez out there, getting a cheap penalty, and acting like it was gonna be a cakewalk.
Team is stronger: circumstances forced Scaloni yet again (just like Copa) to get selection issues fixed, unfit players gained fitness, team experienced shock loss and came back meaning mentally they should be more ready. Add to that is last 2 games were not normal games they were must win WITHIN regular time. Now in KO we have OT and additional subs to make. We have the greatest depth by far I mean we have the likes of dybala and a correa who haven't even seen a minute meaning we might actually get better as game goes on. That's why I am fully confident