World Cup: Messi, Alvarez fire Argentina into quarters, U.S. exit

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Lionel Messi of Argentina reacts after scoring a goal against Australia during the World Cup match in Doha, Qatar, December 3, 2022. /CFP

Lionel Messi scored his first goal in a World Cup knockout match on his 1,000th career appearance as two-time champions Argentina beat off a late fightback by Australia to win 2-1 on Saturday and reach the quarterfinals.

Messi put Argentina ahead after 35 minutes with a coolly taken strike low into the corner for his 94th international goal to pass the great Diego Maradona's tally of eight World Cup goals for the South American side.

Australia's goalkeeper Mathew Ryan (C) fails to stop Argentina's Julian Alvarez (R) from scoring his side's second goal during their World Cup match in Doha, Qatar, December 3, 2022. /CFP

Julian Alvarez added a second close to the hour mark after a howler by keeper Mat Ryan that put the game beyond Australia.

Argentina took a while to get into a match that started off scrappy, with Alejandro Gomez, Enzo Fernandez and Alvarez combining well but unable to break down a resolute defence.

Gomez had an early chance when he was clear on the left and cut inside but fired off a shot that went wildly wide, while Messi struggled to make his mark in the early exchanges.

Christian Pulisic of the U.S. reacts after his team's loss to the Netherlands during their World Cup match in Doha, Qatar, December 3, 2022. /CFP

The United States' return to the World Cup ended with a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands on Saturday, while the Dutch squad extended their unbeaten streak to 19 games.

Argentina will face the Netherlands in the last eight on December 9.

(With input from agencies)