Lionel Messi was on target as Argentina secured a 2-1 win over Australia to set up a FIFA World Cup quarter-final clash against the Netherlands.
Angel Di Maria's injury allowed the Albiceleste to call in Alejandro Gomez alongside Messi, who was featuring in his 1,000th senior game, while Keanu Baccus was the sole change from Australia's win over Denmark.
The Albiceleste opened proceedings after the half-hour mark when a few passes around the area fell to Messi and the skipper coolly slotted in the bottom-corner for his ninth World Cup goal.
Read: Netherlands advance to World Cup quarter-finals
It became an uphill battle for the Socceroos to claw themselves back into the clash, as the Albiceleste spear-headed by Messi controlled all avenues in attack as well as the rear-guard.
Argentina issued the first substitution of the match four minutes into the second half when Gomez walked off the field uncomfortably and defender Lisandro Martinez entered.
The alteration didn't affect the Albiceleste's rhythm and instead very nearly found a second goal from a rasping drive in the area by Messi following a loose pass, but goalkeeper Mathew Ryan parried smartly.
Ryan didn't cover himself in glory on 57 minutes after he conceded possession from a back-pass and allowed Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez to come in and finished into an empty net.
The Socceroos set-up a nervous closing 12 minutes as Enzo Fernandez deflected a left-footed strike by Craig Goodwin into the back of his own net.
Australia launched another scare moments apart when Aziz Behich beat a number of challengers and went clear before a timeous intervention by Martinez denied him a clean strike.
It was a lively closing seconds with chances either end before a point-blank stop from Emiliano Martinez denied the Socceroos off a shot by Garang Kuol, handing Argentina victory in the end.
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