MX23RW : Thursday, December 8 05:15:12| >> :120:15321:15321:
[monks data]
Dec 3, 2022 at 7pm UK at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
Argentina
2 - 1
Australia
Messi (35'), Alvarez (57')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Fernandez (77' og.)
Irvine (15'), Degenek (38')

How Australia could line up against Argentina

How Australia could line up against Argentina
© Reuters
Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Australia could line up for Saturday's World Cup last-16 clash with Argentina.

Riding the crest of a wave following their group-stage heroics against Denmark, Australia meet South American champions Argentina in the last 16 of the World Cup on Saturday.

The Socceroos' second straight victory came in midweek, and coach Graham Arnold is surely loath to change a winning team. However, he could feel the need to alter his starting lineup a little, given a rapid turnaround in-between games.

Beating the Danes 1-0 at Al Janoub Stadium saw centre-back Harry Souttar and goalkeeper Mat Ryan again put on top-notch performances, and that pair will feature in a relatively settled defensive setup.

There is an ongoing battle to start at right-back, though, as Nathaniel Atkinson and Fran Karacic - who started the first and second games respectively - aim to usurp current incumbent Milos Degenek of Columbus Crew, who is one of five men at risk of a suspension for receiving a second booking at the finals.

Meanwhile, in midfield, Craig Goodwin was replaced by Keanu Baccus at half time versus Denmark, but an otherwise solid showing in Qatar should see the former keep his place alongside integral anchorman Aaron Mooy in the Aussies' engine room.

Riley McGree's superb display last time out is set to earn the Middlesbrough man another start in support of target man Mitchell Duke, who leads the line up front; Jamie Maclaren provides an able deputy on the bench.

As Hellas Verona's Ajdin Hrustic has been restricted by injury so far, he may once more be consigned to a substitute role, most likely taking a seat alongside Awer Mabil and Bailey Wright, both of whom are contenders for inclusion should Arnold opt for a more radical reshuffle to tackle the might of Messi's Argentina.

Australia possible starting lineup: Ryan; Karacic, Souttar, Rowles, Behich; Mooy; Leckie, Irvine, McGree, Goodwin; Duke

> Click here to see how Argentina could line up for this last-16 contest

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Australia team group before the match in September 2022
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World Cup fixtures header 3
Thursday, December 8
 
3pm
Quarter-Finals
Croatia
vs.
Brazil
Friday, December 9
 
7pm
Saturday, December 10
 
3pm
Quarter-Finals
Morocco
vs.
Portugal
 
7pm
Quarter-Finals
England
vs.
France
Tuesday, December 13
 
7pm
Semi-Finals
TBC
vs.
TBC
Wednesday, December 14
 
7pm
Semi-Finals
TBC
vs.
TBC
Saturday, December 17
Sunday, December 18
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2Manchester CityMan City14102240142632
3Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1586129111830
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs1592431211029
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd148242020026
6Liverpool1464428171122
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton146352319421
8Chelsea146351717021
9Fulham155462426-219
10Brentford154742325-219
11Crystal Palace145451518-319
12Aston Villa155371622-618
13Leicester CityLeicester155282525017
14Bournemouth154471832-1416
15Leeds UnitedLeeds144372226-415
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham154291217-514
17Everton153571117-614
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest153481130-1913
19Southampton153391327-1412
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves15249824-1610

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