Messi expects World Cup to 'get even tougher' after leading Argentina into quarter-finals


John McAuley
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Lionel Messi said the World Cup will only get more difficult from now after Argentina survived a “complicated” finish to their match against Australia to book a place in the quarter-finals.

The two-time world champions prevailed 2-1 at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Saturday night, but had to withstand a few nervy moments towards the end as poor finishing from their side and then some sturdy defending saw off Australia.

Argentina had been 2-0 up on the night, with Messi scoring in his 1000th career match and Julian Alvarez doubling the advantage to seemingly send the team through.

However, Craig Goodwin’s deflected shot gave Australia a lifeline, and it needed a last-gasp save from Emiliano Martinez to prevent the match from going into extra-time.

Argentina now take on the Netherlands, three-time runners-up, on Friday for a place in the semi-finals. The Dutch defeated USA 3-1 earlier on Saturday.

Speaking immediately after Australia, and having picked up another man-of-the-match award, Messi said: "Things got complicated in the end with their goal, but it's a World Cup and it's never easy.

"Now we have a really tough clash with Holland, who play very well. They have great players and a great coach. It's going to be hard fought.

“If a World Cup has been tough from the start, it gets even tougher at this stage."

Argentina, the South American champions, were superior for much of the match against Australia in Al Rayyan, but were pegged back with 13 minutes of normal time remaining.

Argentina v Australia player ratings

From there, Lionel Scaloni's side missed a number of chances, chiefly through substitute Lautaro Martinez, while namesake Lisandro Martinez was forced into making a last-ditch challenge after a superb solo run by Aziz Behich.

It was then left to Emiliano Martinez, the Argentine goalkeeper, to keep out 18-year-old substitute Garang Kuol deep into injury time.

“I’m very happy for taking another step forward, achieving another objective,” Messi said. “It was a very difficult match; we knew it was going to be this way.

“We knew it was going to be a very physical match and they were very strong. Matches are always difficult and what’s important is that you win.”

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said he was "satisfied" with his team's performance. AFP
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said he was "satisfied" with his team's performance. AFP

Argentina manager Scaloni paid tribute to his players, who have reeled off three successive wins in Qatar after their shock opening defeat by Saudi Arabia.

"We are satisfied,” Scaloni said. “Today's match was very difficult - they put a suffocating pressure on us. We shouldn't have suffered in the final minutes because we had chances to go further ahead.

"But my players were born to play in these sorts of games."

On the Netherlands test, in a rerun of the 1978 World Cup final that Argentina won, Scaloni said: "It's going to be a very beautiful game, with two historic teams. Sadly one team has to lose. And we hope it's us who go through.”

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Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
 
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Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021

Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.

The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.

These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.

“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.

“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.

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Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.

There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.

“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.

“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.

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Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

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Surianah's top five jazz artists

Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.  

Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.

Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.

Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.

Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.

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Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)

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By committing to at least one of these daily, you can bring more gratitude into your life, says Ong.

  • During your morning skincare routine, name five things you are thankful for about yourself.
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Updated: December 04, 2022, 4:08 AM`