Group C topper Argentina will face Group D runner-up Australia in its Round of 16 match on December 4.
While Argentina will begin the match as favourites, Australia has proven that it’s able to competing with groups stronger on paper.
Ahead of the match, listed here are three key battles to look out for within the match.
Harry Souttar vs Lionel Messi
Australia’s backline may have a monumental process forward of them within the Round of 16 knockout match in opposition to Argentina. With La Albiceleste having an unlimited arsenal of attacking gamers, Lionel Messi’s title stands out because the one who’s prone to pose the utmost quantity of hazard.
Harry Souttar can be a central determine within the Australian defence and can be tasked with stopping Messi. Souttar has been a reliable determine within the Socceroos’ defence and has been strong for his workforce within the group levels.
Souttar has had 13 recoveries all through the group levels up to now, which speaks loads about his potential to grab the ball. Against Messi, he’ll face a participant who, on his day, is sort of unattainable to dispossess.
Apart from marking Messi in shut management conditions, Souttar may even want to pay attention to not giving the Argentine an excessive amount of time on the ball. Messi’s playmaking has been elite in latest instances, and his tendency to make line-breaking passes can be one thing Souttar will want to pay attention to.
On paper, Messi appears to have the sting over Souttar on this battle. With two targets within the match, he has additionally created six probabilities from open play and has tried 19 take-ons with successful price of 42%. However, Argentina’s loss in opposition to Saudi Arabia proves that high quality on paper isn’t absolute. Souttar had a mammoth process forward of him, however he may simply take everybody unexpectedly.
Marcos Acuna vs Mathew Leckie
Mathew Leckie is without doubt one of the greatest names within the Australian workforce. It was his aim in opposition to Denmark that put Australia by to the Round of 16.
Leckie has a aim and an help for Australia within the group levels and has been one of many Socceroos’ most harmful gamers. Mainly working from the right-flank, Leckie will more than likely come up in opposition to Argentina left-back Marcos Acuna.
Marcos Acuña of Argentina is challenged by Uriel Antuna of Mexico throughout the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Mexico at Lusail Stadium on November 26, 2022, in Lusail City, Qatar.
| Photo Credit: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
When it involves kind, Acuna has not been at his greatest and has regarded susceptible at instances all through the group levels. In his 168 minutes performed for Argentina, Acuna has gained simply three tackles and made six recoveries within the defensive part of play.
While the participant has expertise on his aspect, present kind means that Acuna may have a tricky time dealing with Leckie, who will begin the match with excessive confidence after scoring the telling aim that bought Australia by. Leckie, who is understood to be fast and agile can put Acuna underneath strain along with his tempo and ability on the ball.
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Also, Leckie has a dogged persona off the ball. Despite being a winger, he has made 16 recoveries, 10 greater than Acuna. Therefore, Acuna will be rest-assured that even when he manages to dispossess Leckie, the latter gained’t quit simply and can always hound Acuna. Acuna’s greatest wager is to launch the ball rapidly to keep away from the chance of getting dispossessed, particularly in harmful areas.
Jackson Irvine vs Enzo Fernandez
Jackson Irvine has not but scored or assisted for Australia regardless of having 50 appearances for his nation. However, he stays of a very powerful gamers for the Socceroos. His creativity in the course of the park is an asset to have and it’s his dedication on and off the ball that makes him an vital participant for Graham Arnold.
Enzo Fernandez has been having a dream run for Argentina up to now. The 21-year-old scored Argentina’s second aim in opposition to Mexico and assisted Julian Alvarez for his nation’s second aim in opposition to Poland.
Given Fernandez’s kind, it’s powerful to see him not begin an important Round of 16 matches. If he does, he’s sure to come back up in opposition to Irvine in midfield. The Irvine vs Fernandez can be a youth vs expertise battle.
While Enzo has kind and statistical superiority, expertise is one thing that can’t be negated in tense knockout matches. Both Enzo and Irvine are arduous employees off the ball with nearly comparable restoration stats- Irvine has 10 and Enzo has eight. However, the distinction between the minutes performed is in Irvine’s favour, because the Australian has performed 265 minutes in comparison with 143.
In the attacking part of play, Enzo has created two probabilities in comparison with Irvine’s one. With such closely-contested stats, it is going to be a battle to observe in the course of the park.
