LIONEL MESSI SURPASSES DIEGO MARADONA WITH HIS NINTH FIFA WORLD CUP GOAL

In his 1,000th career appearance, Lionel Messi scored his first goal in a World Cup knockout match as Argentina defeated Australia 2-1 on Saturday to reach the World Cup quarterfinals.

Messi’s goal at the 35-minute mark put Argentina ahead of Australia. This was his 94th international goal, surpassing the legendary Diego Maradona to become second all-time behind Gabriel Batistuta for most goals scored in World Cup by an Argentinian. After a howler by keeper Mat Ryan put the game beyond Australia, Julian Alvarez added a second close to the hour mark, setting up a clash in the next round with the Netherlands, who beat the United States 3-1 earlier on Saturday.