IN HIS 1000TH APPEARANCE, LIONEL MESSI FIRES HIS MAGIC TO GET ARGENTINA THROUGH THE QUARTERFINALS

With a wonderful goal, Lionel Messi celebrated his 1000th game, which helped Argentina advance to the quarter-finals of the World Cup, where they will face the Netherlands. Thanks to goals from the great man and Julian Alvarez, the American side gained a 2-1 victory over a spirited Australian side. It was Messi, however, who ultimately made the difference. For the first 20 minutes, Australia kept Argentina at bay but then was able to gain control of the ball through a disorganized opposition that struggled to exert pressure. It would be unfair to classify this Argentina team as bang-average, but they do possess one truly special player. As a result of his teammates' wastefulness, Messi decided to press the ball for the first time during his opening goal. Aziz Behich was chased out of play by him, and the Australian defender shoved him in the chest to intimidate him.

Instead, it sparked a fire within Messi. Australia would pay the price seconds later. Nicolas Otamendi touched back the ball to the main man who then curled the ball past the defender and into the goal. It was Argentina's only contribution to an otherwise dull first half. It is for this reason that they are always a threat. The goal made Messi the oldest Argentine to score a World Cup knockout goal, surpassing Roberto Ayala, who had been 33 at the time of his goal against Germany in 2006. As for Lionel Messi, if you are counting, this is his 129th different team against which he has scored, and he has found the net 789 times during those 1000 games.

With a tactical change in the second half, Australia was able to land a late blow on Argentina, which had taken full control of the game. The formation in Argentina appears to be far more solid as Lisandro Martinez replaced Papu Gomez as Lionel Scalone switched to a three-at-the-back formation. Following that switch, his team capitalized on a horrible error by Aussie goalkeeper Mat Ryan, who gave the ball away after being put under pressure by Julian Alvarez. In the aftermath of that goal, the Manchester City player seemed to be in a state of joy every time he got the ball, having replaced the in-form Lautaro Martinez. Three Australian defenders were left for dead as Messi embarked on a sensational solo run, cheered by the crowd with every shimmy and shuffle.

In light of the fact that the Netherlands employ the same system when they meet on Friday night, perhaps they will begin with the three at the back when they meet. In an unexpected turn of events, Australia scored a goal out of nothing after Craig Goodwin's wild strike was deflected past Emi Martinez by Enzo Fernandez. It was only a last-ditch Martinez tackle that kept the ball from danger for the Socceroos. Behic ran with the ball and took it past four Argentinians. The focus was on Messi, but if he had found the finish, that goal would have ranked among Messi's best. As a result of another brilliant Messi run, Lautaro Martinez should have finished off the game, however, he turned on the charm late on a wonderful chance that just missed the upright. One more save was required from Martinez as 18-year-old Garang Kuol smacked a low effort toward the goal, but in the end, Messi's World Cup dream remains intact.