The Socceroos are looking to become the ultimate Australian heroes as well as the ultimate villains in Lionel Messi’s hunt for a World Cup as they strive to reach the quarter-finals at a World Cup for the first time.
The Australians are seeking to create even more history when they go up against Argentina on Sunday morning (AEDT) in a much-anticipated round of 16 meeting.
The Green and Gold have the utmost belief in themselves after earning two victories against Tunisia and Denmark in the group stage, making it the first time Australia has won two games at the same World Cup.
Socceroos winger Mathew Leckie, who scored the winner against the Danes, stressed how important the confidence among the team has been in getting them this far and how that could take them even further.
“The belief in this team is something special and I think that’s what has got us to where we are today,” Leckie said ahead of the huge contest with Argentina.
“A lot of people didn’t even expect us to be at the World Cup and probably thought we had no chance to get out of the group so we continue to prove people wrong and believe within the group. It’s knockout football now so anything can happen.”
Defender Milos Degenek highlighted that while Messi is a huge threat and the Argentinean side has plenty of phenomenal players, it is still a battle to determine the best on the day.
“It’s going to be a difficult game, obviously playing against probably the best footballer ever to grace the game and apart from that, like I’ve said, its 11 vs 11. There’s not eleven Messis, there’s one,” Degenek said to media ahead of Sunday’s massive clash.
“It’s not an honour to play against him (Messi) because he is just a human as we all are. It’s an honour to be in the round of 16 of a World Cup.”
Lionel Messi himself is not underestimating his upcoming opponents, knowing too well that shock results are possible after they lost their opening game against Saudi Arabia.
“The match against Australia is going to be very difficult. Anyone can beat anyone. It’s all even. We have to prepare for the game as we always do,” the Argentinean legend said after the win against Poland.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni echoed his star player’s sentiments, acknowledging that all matches at major tournaments are challenging regardless of people’s expectations.
“Anyone who thinks the match against Australia will be easy is wrong. We’re not favourites. If you think that just because we won today, we are going to become World Cup winners, you’re wrong,” Mr Scaloni said to media after their 2-0 success over Poland.
This will be the maiden meeting between the two nations at a World Cup and the first time they have met since Argentina’s 1-0 victory in a friendly at the MCG in 2007.
The Socceroos will look to take some inspiration from the Australia U-23 team’s win against the Argentina U-23s at the Olympics last year, with Socceroos manager Graham Arnold the one leading the team in that game.
The match will be broadcast live on SBS at 6am (AEST) on Sunday and the entire country will be hoping for another amazing result in what has already been a World Cup campaign to remember.