Kathmandu,

December 4,

Lionel Messi produced a moment of trademark quality to score the opener in a 2-1 win over Australia and send Argentina into the quarter-finals of the World Cup on Saturday.

Messi sparked the game into life on 35 minutes. He played a cute give-and-go before finding a yard of space to stroke a trademark low finish into the bottom corner.

Australia came out with more energy and urgency in the second half but gifted Argentina a second goal in the 57th minute. Goalkeeper Mat Ryan's touch was heavy and as he tried to guide the ball past two Argentina players, Julian Alvarez was on hand.

Australia did manage to pull one back 13 minutes from time, Craig Goodwin fired a shot from distance that was going well wide before taking a wicked deflection off Enzo Fernandez and ending up in the back of the net.