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The thing had to be him.
Lionel Messi played in his 1,000th professional football game and his 100th game as Argentina's captain to keep the World Cup dream alive.
In his fifth World Cup, the'magician' finally scored his first ever World Cup knockout goal as Argentina took another step to ending their 36-year wait for World Cup glory.
After a nervy opening half-hour, Messi opened the scoring and from there it was mostly plain sailing at an absolutely bouncing Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
With the hopes of a nation resting on their number 10, the Argentines face a mouth-watering quarter-final against the Dutch.
Messi said he was happy for taking another step forward. It was a tough match.
Rio Ferdinand said that the best individual performance at the World Cup was from a player. It was very much like a god. This is the first thing I've seen like this.
What is he doing? His head is up. He's taking people on and seeing where they are. He is an amazing person.
Ahora nos volvimo' a ilusionar.
It's a song from Argentina that has gone crazy in the United States.
The players have been videoed chanting it and the lyrics were on the lips of supporters before and after the game.
The Albiceleste faithful were bouncing on the metro and in the stands as they sang it, and they witnessed a great performance from Messi.
The little left footer Ahmad bin Ali got his famous boot on the ball and he opened the stadium with a wonderful opener.
There was only one outcome when the ball dropped to him in the box, and he scored a nerveless goal to set Argentina on their way.
At the end of the game, fans chanted "Messi, Messi, Messi" and he joined his teammates in jumping up and down in front of them.
Messi said that he was happy to share the moment with the fans. The whole of Argentina wants to be here and they have put a lot of effort into it. We have bonds that are beautiful.
The fans have passion, energy and joy. It's amazing. They are living inside and enjoying it. That's amazing. All Argentines are excited.
Shearer said that they were lucky to be in the stadium to see him. We talked about his ability, hunger and desire, and he did a great job.
He is able to free up his team-mates by running with the ball.
Messi carries the ball when there is a lot going on around him. He has all the things.
The stadium gets on its feet whenever he gets the ball. The whole stadium rises regardless of where he is on the field.
Messi's goal was his first in the knockout stage of a World Cup but his total of nine is just one shy of Gabriel Batistuta's record for Argentina
He created four chances and had nine touches against Australia.
Graham Arnold said that he is incredible. It's one of the best ever. We didn't want to be in awe of him, but he is amazing.
Argentina has players of that caliber and should be proud of that.
Argentina's last world crown came in 1986 when Diego Maradona inspired them to win.
There was a sea of Argentina shirts with the names of Messi and Maradona printed on the backs.
Gary Lineker played against Argentina's Diego Maradona in 1986 in the quarter-finals, a game in which Maradona punched the ball into the net for the first goal.
It reminds me of 1986 and Maradona. It's hard to play against tough games and see how they go.
They were able to rely on the magic of Maradona. There are many things in common. Both Maradona and Messi are nearing the end of their careers. Is it possible that they can do it.
I have not seen any other player like him. Two of those players are from the same country, both small.
Enjoy them both.
We are still relying on Messi. We didn't play well enough in the first half and needed to play quicker.
Messi is the only one who brings so much danger and a real threat to the team.
SuperSpoonerman said that Messi's twilight years in football seem to be going a lot better than the ones ofRonaldo.
There was an air of a Sunday League game in which the one good player in it said, "I'm going to score now and there's nothing you can do to stop me"
Messi's level will never be reached by a football player. No one.
Messi is two years older thanRonaldo, but always seemed a lot more mature.
Lionel Messi isn't normal.
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