Australia recovered superbly from a heavy opening defeat to Group D winners France, earning 1-0 wins over Tunisia and, most impressively, Denmark to reach the Round of 16 for only the second time in their history.
On that occasion in 2006, the Socceroos were only beaten by a 95th-minute winner for eventual champions Italy in Kaiserslautern.
Here’s how to watch Graham Arnold’s side attempt another surprise against the side captained by Lionel Messi.
ROUND OF 16: Teams qualified, bracket, match schedule, fixtures and how it works
Argentina vs Australia live stream, TV channel
This Round of 16 clash will be played at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. Here’s how you can watch all the action in some of the major global territories.
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Argentina vs. Australia lineups
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni could rotate his team again. Right-back Nahuel Molina and central defender Cristian Romero were both dropped after the loss to Saudi Arabia but returned to the first XI to face Poland.
Enzo Fernandez got a start after playing a starring role and scoring when he came off the bench in the win against Mexico, while Julian Alvarez was preferred to Lautaro Martinez up front in Argentina’s closing victory.
Argentina projected lineup (4-3-3, right to left): 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 26. Molina, 13. Romero, 19. Otamendi, 8. Acuna — 7. De Paul, 24. Fernandez, 20. Mac Allister — 10. Messi, 9. Alvarez, 11. Di Maria
Hearts defender Nathaniel Atkinson was ruled out of Australia’s win over Denmark with an ankle injury. Milos Degenek could deputise at right-back again.
Australia projected lineup (4-1-4-1, right to left): 1. Ryan (GK) – 2 Degenek, 19. Souttar, 4. Rowles, 16. Behich – 13. Mooy – 22. Irvine, 14. McGree, 7. Leckie, 23. Goodwin – 15. Duke
Argentina vs. Australia odds, prediction
With the likes of Messi, Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister hitting their menacing groove in successive wins, two-time champions Argentina are unsurprisingly huge favourites to beat a relatively unheralded Australia side.
While the loss to Saudi Arabia was Argentina’s only defeat in their last 39 games, Australia should play without pressure and are in decent form of their own, having won seven of their last eight matches.
Five of the last six games involving Australia have produced fewer than three goals, with four of those containing one goal or less.
Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), and Ladbrokes (Australia).
A reminder: All moneyline bets in soccer are for regulation only, regardless of competition. If the match requires a winner and goes to extra-time or penalties, a moneyline bet of a regulation draw is successful and the rest of play does not factor in.
