Argentina has returned to winning ways in back-to-back 2-0 victories against Mexico and Poland to top Group C of the FIFA World Cup 2022. The opening upset at the hands of Saudi Arabia has not seemed to affect the La Albiceleste as they look more determined than ever to remind us that they are still one of the favorites to go all the way in 2022.
Matchday 1: Loss to Saudi Arabia ❌
Matchday 2: Win against Mexico ✅
Matchday 3: Win against Poland ✅Argentina are heading to the knockouts where they will face Australia in the Round of 16 👀#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/tr6ArJswgh
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) November 30, 2022
Australia suffered a crushing defeat against France in their opener but have since, turned some heads as they edged out back-to-back 1-0 victories against a Tunisia and Denmark to qualify as the second-placed team from Group D. Out of the six occasions on which Australia have qualified for the world cup, they have just once before been able to progress to the round of 16 – in 2006.
LET’S GOOOOOOOO!!!!!! 👏👏👏
🇦🇷 v 🇦🇺 4.12.22, 6am AEDT
📺💻📱: SBS, SBS On Demand#Socceroos #GiveIt100 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/vvkgsd6O6X— Socceroos (@Socceroos) December 3, 2022
They will be looking to cause an upset this time around and secure their highest-ever placed finish in the FIFA world cup.
How to watch Argentina V Australia in the US?
As the knockout stages of the world cup kick off on 3rd December, here is a comprehensive guide to watching the South Americans go up against the Australians.
American soccer enthusiasts have the option of watching the games live in English, as well as in Spanish.
English viewers can catch the live action on Fox, Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2.
Spanish viewers, on the other hand, can catch the live action on Universo and Telemundo.
Other than that, viewers may also opt for live-streaming the game. Live-streaming services like Fox Sports app, fubo TV, and Peacock Premium will enable viewers to enjoy the action on the go.
What time will Argentina V Australia start?
Date: 3rd December, 2022 (Saturday)
Time: 2 p.m. ET/ 11 a.m. PT
Location: Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al-Rayyan, Qatar
Argentina V Australia: FIFA World Cup prediction
The two sides will be meeting in the round of 16 clash a good 15 years after their last encounter in 2007 which resulted in an Argentinian victory. They have faced each other on seven separate occasions, with Argentina winning 5 times and drawing once against Australia, while Australia have just a single victory to their name against Argentina, from back in 1988.
The game on 3rd December will be the first time that these two sides will face-off in the world cup.
Argentina’s world class attack led by Lionel Messi needs no introduction. Messi will be looking to put an end to his record of never scoring previously in any of the world cups that he has featured in, although he is the only player to have assisted in the knockout stages of three separate world cups.
Messi, along with his attacking force of Julian Alvarez, and Angel Di Maria will be looking to find the chink in the armor of what we can expect will be Australia’s low block formation.
#SelecciónMayor Último entrenamiento antes de enfrentar a #Australia 🇦🇺.
Mañana, #TodosJuntos 💪🏽🇦🇷
📝 https://t.co/4ngYAxRISv pic.twitter.com/LgkCY32VJF
— Selección Argentina 🇦🇷 (@Argentina) December 2, 2022
Argentina’s defense has also been extremely solid this world cup campaign, with the side allowing just eleven shots by opposition sides across their three games in this world cup. This number is the lowest of any defense in the world cup so far. This will make it incredibly difficult for the Aussies to rack up chances against them, with the only viable course of action being heavily reliant on counter attacks.
The key player for Australia who might be able to produce something out of his hat, seems to be Matthew Leckie. He has been directly involved in two of Australia’s three goals in this world cup, scoring once and assisting once.
Proving that ANYTHING is possible. 💪👊
See you in the morning, Australia. It’s time to make history. 🇦🇺#GiveIt100 #Socceroos #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/ocCaEVEuUu
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) December 3, 2022
With the help of these statistics and taking into account the recent form of these two nations, we can predict a score line of 2-0 in Argentina’s favor, come the final whistle.
Is Lionel Messi playing against Australia?
Seven time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi is certainly expected to lead Argentina’s attacking line as he shows no signs of slowing his country’s title charge this world cup campaign, despite a missed spot kick in his nation’s 2-0 triumph over Poland in the last game of the group stage.
Argentina boss Scaloni has experimented with a number of permutations and combinations in attack, rotating Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez and Angel di Maria, all of whom are vying for two out three attacking spots in this Argentinian side. The only constant occupant of the third attacking spot? Messi.
While the 35-year-old has already racked up illustrious records over his long playing career, he will be sure to avoid any injuries as he sizes up Lothar Matthaus’s highest appearance record in the world cup, with the German featuring 25 times back in the day.
