ARGENTINA VS AUSTRALIA
Argentina will face Australia today in the second match of the first day of the World Cup pre-quarters.
Argentina reached the pre-quarters as group champions after defeating Poland in the last match. Oceanian country Australia qualified for the pre-quarters after defeating Denmark and others in Group D.
Argentina-Australia match at Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium at 12.30 am. Coach Lionel Scaloni has indicated that Argentina will go without significant changes to the team that played against Poland. Aussie coach Graham Arnold is likely to retain the same team that defeated Denmark.
Superstar Angel DiMaria has been recalled after sustaining a thigh injury in the crucial match against Poland. Scaloni recalled the star as he has the next matches ahead of him. However, Scaloni stated in a press conference the other day that there is no need to worry about DiMaria's health. Meanwhile, it is not clear which of Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez will be in the starting XI today.
Australia will enter the second knockout stage in World Cup history today. Before this, they last reached the pre-quarters in the 2006 World Cup. They lost 1-0 to Italy that day. Australia has won only once when the two teams have met seven times. This was in 1988. It is also interesting that Coach Arnold was on the team that day.
Argentina star Rodrigo DePaul told the media that Australia is a strong opponent and will perform well. Australia's speedy wingbacks will be a big challenge and Argentina will do well, the midfielder said. The player added that the defeat against Saudi taught the team big lessons.
WIN PROBABILITY
Argentina :- 79%
Australia :- 6%
Draw :- 15%
MATCH SCHEDULE
Date:- 4/12/2022
Time:- 12.30 AM (IST)
Venue:- Ahmad bin Ali Stadium
INSIGHTS
1) This is the first meeting between Argentina and Australia since a friendly in September 2007, when Argentina won 1–0 thanks to a goal by Martin Demichelis.
2) Australia's only win against Argentina in seven meetings (D1 L5) came in July 1988 in the Australia Bicentenary Gold Cup, a 4-1 win with goals from Paul Wade, Charlie Yankos (x2) and Vlado Bosinoski.
3) At the 2018 World Cup, Argentina was eliminated in the round of 16 stages, losing to eventual winners France. They have not been eliminated before the quarter-final stage in consecutive World Cups since the round of 16 was introduced in 1986 and were eliminated before the last eight in 1958 and 1962 (both times in the first group round).
4) It is only the second time Australia has reached the knockout stages of the World Cup, having done so under Guus Hiddink in 2006. They lost 1–0 to Italy in the round of 16 that year, with Francesco Totti eliminating them with a last-minute penalty goal.
