Messi Scores, Argentina Reaches World Cup Quarterfinals

Argentina's Lionel Messi (C) and teammates celebrate after their team's 2–1 victory over Australia during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Australia at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on Dec. 3, 2022. Pavel Golovkin/AP Photo

AL RAYYAN, Qatar—Lionel Messi was pushed into the middle of a joyous post-match huddle as Argentina’s players jumped up and down to celebrate reaching the World Cup quarterfinals.

Messi delivered again for his country, marking the 1,000th game of his era-defining career with his first goal in the knockout stage of a World Cup to lead Argentina to a 2–1 win over Australia on Saturday.