Argentina and Australia are meeting for the first time since their friendly match in September 2007, which Argentina won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Martin Demichelis. They will face for the first time at a World Cup.
The Australia Bicentenary Gold Cup in July 1988 saw Australia defeat Argentina for the first time in seven meetings (D1 L5), winning 4-1 on goals from Paul Wade, Charlie Yankos (twice), and Vlado Bozinoski. Graham Arnold, the team's current manager, also participated for the Socceroos.
Australia's fifth World Cup game will take place against a South American opponent; the Socceroos have lost the previous four (D1 L3). Argentina has only ever played Australia seven times, none of which have been against an Oceania-based team.
Argentina lost to eventual champions France in the World Cup's round of 16 and was eliminated. Since the round of 16 was created in 1986, they have never exited a World Cup before the quarterfinal round; their only two instances of doing so were in 1958 and 1962. (eliminated in first group round both times).
Australia has only twice made it to the World Cup's knockout rounds, the first time being in 2006 under Guus Hiddink. In the round of 16, they were eliminated by Italy 1-0 thanks to a last-second penalty from Francesco Totti.
Australia has won both of its most recent World Cup games, tying their total number of victories from their first 17 games in the campaign (D4 L11). Additionally, they have started the scoring in each of the three 2022 games, compared to just twice in 16 games at the 1974, 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018 tournaments.
In their three games at the 2022 World Cup, Argentina have only faced 11 shots; no team has so far conceded fewer. In fact, this is the fewest shots that Argentina has ever conceded in a World Cup tournament's opening round of groups (since 1966).
With all eight of his goals coming in the group stage, Lionel Messi is hoping to score for Argentina in the World Cup's knockout rounds for the first time. He has made 23 attempts in the knockout stages without scoring, but he has assisted in the round of 16 in each of the three previous tournaments (2010, 2014, and 2018), making him the only player to do so.
At the 2022 World Cup, Matthew Leckie has a direct hand in two of Australia's three goals (1 goal, 1 assist). Along with Tim Cahill (2 goals, 1 assist) and John Aloisi, he is one of only three Australian players to record both a goal and an assist in a World Cup game.
In Argentina's 2-0 victory over Poland, Lionel Messi produced five opportunities, bringing his total for the World Cup to 63. Only fellow Argentine Diego Maradona has produced more opportunities at the World Cup since 1966. (67).