In the second game of the Round of 16 in FIFA World Cup 2022, Argentina vs Australia will be played at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan.
Despite a shocking 2-1 defeat against Saudi Arabia, Argentina finished as the Group C champions by winning the next two games (2-0 vs Mexico; 2-0 vs Poland).
Australia were also thrashed by the defending champions France with a 4-1 scoreline in their tournament opener, but they still finished as the runners-up in Group D after closely beating Tunisia (1-0) and Denmark (1-0).
ARG vs AUS Match Details
Match: Argentina vs Australia
Stage: Round of 16
Date: 3rd December 2022 (Saturday)
Time: 22:00 local time/AST (UTC+3); 00:30 IST (next day)
Venue: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan
ARG vs AUS Match Preview
After suffering a stunning 2-1 defeat against Saudi Arabia in their tournament opener, which also ended Argentina’s 36-match unbeaten streak, they have expectedly returned to the tournament more strongly with two clean-sheet victories. World football is expecting their continuous dominant performance in this upcoming match.
In their last eight games, Australia won six times, drew once and lost only once. When they faced the defending champions, France, in the tournament opener, the Socceroos got an early 1-0 lead, but the French side ultimately thrashed them by 4-1. Except for that France encounter, the Aussies haven’t much tested against strong international teams yet. Also, in their last six games, only once they managed to score more than one goal, which shows their goal-scoring issues.
It will be their first FIFA World Cup meeting and eighth overall meeting. Apart from winning their first official encounter in 1988 (by 4-1), Australia never won against Argentina as the South American side won five times and drew once, including currently running with a four-match winning streak.
Recent Form (starting from the latest)
Argentina (ARG): WWLWW
Australia (AUS): WWLWW
ARG vs AUS Team News
(Argentina)
In their last game, Ángel Di María left the ground close to an hour mark of the game due to feeling discomfort in his thigh. He is doubtful for this Round of 16 encounter.
Check here Argentina’s Squad for FIFA World Cup 2022 & Team Profile and FIFA World Cup 2022: Argentina - World Cup Records and Stats
(Australia)
There is no injury concern in the Australian squad.
Check here Australia’s Squad for FIFA World Cup 2022 & Team Profile and FIFA World Cup 2022: Australia - World Cup Records and Stats
ARG vs AUS predicted starting lineups
Argentina (ARG): Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Nicolás Otamendi, Cristian Romero, Marcos Acuña; Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Rodrigo De Paul; Lautaro Martínez, Lionel Messi (Captain), Julián Álvarez
Australia (AUS): Mathew Ryan (Captain); Miloš Degenek, Harry Souttar, Kye Rowles, Aziz Behich; Aaron Mooy, Mathew Leckie, Jackson Irvine, Craig Goodwin; Riley McGree, Mitchell Duke
ARG vs AUS Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: E Martinez (8 cr)
DEF: N Otamendi (8 cr), M Acuna (7.5 cr), K Rowles (6.5 cr), N Molina (8 cr)
MID: M Leckie (9 cr), C Godwin (8.5 cr), E Fernandez (7.5 cr)
FW: L Messi (9 cr), M Duke (8.5 cr), J Alvarez (8 cr)
Vice-captain: M Leckie
Captain: L Messi
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football and 2022 FIFA World Cup for upcoming matches and updates.