Argentina vs Australia World Cup lineup, starting 11 for Round of 16 match at Qatar 2022

David Lynch

Argentina vs Australia World Cup lineup, starting 11 for Round of 16 match at Qatar 2022 image

Lionel Messi's bid for World Cup glory remains on track after Argentina overcame a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia to escape their group in style.

Victories over Mexico and Poland ensured Lionel Scaloni's men in fact ended up topping Group C, and reminded the world why they were so hotly tipped prior to the tournament kicking off.

But the task now for La Albiceste is to ensure their dream isn't derailed by an Australia side that surprised many in edging past Denmark and Tunisia to qualification from a Group D also containing France.

Here, we take a look how both teams line up for their Round of 16 clash.

Argentina vs Australia lineups

Australia assistant coach Rene Meulensteen has criticised FIFA's scheduling of the World Cup after the Socceroos and Argentina were given just three days to prepare for their Round of 16 clash.

The two sides rounded off their group-stage campaigns on Wednesday local time in Qatar, but had little time to celebrate that success before starting preparations for their meeting on Saturday.

Meulensteen said of the situation: "How can the FIFA organisation [do this] at such a high-prestige tournament? The four-day turnovers were already short and after the group stages they go even shorter.

"If you want high-quality performance in a World Cup, you think could they have managed it slightly differently?

"It’s also the same for the other team, I have to say that. But we've got almost no time to let it all sink in. It’s recovery, recovery and getting their brains ready again for that challenge."

MORE: Argentina vs. Australia prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets

Argentina confirmed starting 11

(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  — 17. Gomez, 10. Messi, 9. Alvarez

  • Injured: None
  • Suspended: None

Argentina bring in Papu Gomez for the injured Angel Di Maria up front.

MORE: How to watch Argentina vs Australia, TV details, streaming, time and date

Australia bring in Keanu Bacchus for Craig Goodwin for the clash as coach Graham Arnold makes a change in midfield.

Australia confirmed lineup (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Ryan (GK) — 2.  Degenek, 19. Souttar, 4. Rowles, 16. Behich —  26. Bacchus, 13. Mooy, 22. Irvine — 15. Duke, 14. McGree, 7. Leckie

  • Injured: Martin Boyle (removed from squad)
  • Suspended: None

MORE: Are Australia any chance against Argentina? Why Socceroos could stop Messi and Co.

Argentina vs Australia World Cup squads

Here are the names on Denmark and Australia's World Cup squad lists in Qatar (caps correct as of start of Qatar 2022):

Argentina World Cup squad

PositionNo.PlayerClubAgeCaps
GK1Franco ArmaniRiver Plate (ARG)3618
GK23Emiliano MartinezAston Villa (ENG)3019
GK12Geronimo RulliVillarreal (SPA)304
DEF8Marcos AcunaSevilla (SPA)3043
DEF2Juan FoythVillarreal (SPA)2416
DEF25Lisandro MartinezMan United (ENG)2410
DEF26Nahuel MolinaAtletico Madrid (SPA)2419
DEF4Gonzalo MontielSevilla (SPA)2519
DEF19Nicolas OtamendiBenfica (POR)3493
DEF6German PezzellaReal Betis (SPA)3132
DEF13Cristian RomeroTottenham (ENG)2412
DEF3Nicolas TagliaficoLyon (FRA)3042
MID7Rodrigo De PaulAtletico Madrid (SPA)2844
MID24Enzo FernandezBenfica (POR)213
MID17Alejandro 'Papu' GomezSevilla (SPA)3415
MID20Alexis Mac AllisterBrighton (ENG)238
MID14Exequiel PalaciosBayer Leverkusen (GER)2420
MID5Leandro ParedesJuventus (ITA)2846
MID18Guido RodriguezReal Betis (SPA)2826
FWD9Julian AlvarezMan City (ENG)2212
FWD16Thiago AlmadaAtlanta United (USA)211
FWD11Angel Di MariaJuventus (ITA)34124
FWD21Paulo DybalaAS Roma (ITA)2834
FWD15Angel CorreaAtletico Madrid2522
FWD22Lautaro MartinezInter Milan (ITA)2540
FWD10Lionel MessiPSG (FRA)35165

Australia World Cup squad

PositionNo.PlayerClubAgeCaps
GK1Maty RyanFC Copenhagen (DEN)3076
GK12Andrew RedmayneSydney FC (AUS)333
GK18Danny VukovicCentral Coast Mariners (AUS)374
DEF2Milos DegenekColumbus Crew (USA)2839
DEF16Aziz BehichDundee United (SCO)3154
DEF24Joel KingOB (DAN)213
DEF3Nathaniel AtkinsonHearts (SCO)236
DEF5Fran KaracicBrescia (ITA)2610
DEF19Harry SouttarStoke City (ENG)2311
DEF4Kye RowlesHearts (SCO)244
DEF8Bailey WrightSunderland (ENG)3027
DEF20Thomas DengAlbirex Niigata (JAP)252
MID13Aaron MooyCeltic (SCO)3254
MID22Jackson IrvineSt Pauli (GER)2950
MID10Ajdin HrusticHellas Verona (ITA)2620
MID26Keanu BaccusSt Mirren (SCO292
MID17Cameron DevlinHearts (SCO)241
MID14Riley McGreeMiddlesbrough (ENG)2311
FWD11Awer MabilCadiz (SPA)2730
FWD7Mathew LeckieMelbourne City (AUS)3173
FWD6Marco TilioMelbourne City (AUS)215
FWD9Jamie MaclarenMelbourne City (AUS)2926
FWD25Jason CummingsCentral Coast Mariners (AUS)272
FWD15Mitchell DukeFagiano Okayama (JAP)3121
FWD21Garang KuolCentral Coast Mariners (AUS)182
FWD23Craig GoodwinAdelaide United (AUS)3011

David Lynch

David Lynch is a freelance football journalist primarily covering Liverpool FC. He has reported on the the Reds for over a decade for publications such as the Sunday Mirror and Evening Standard, carving out a reputation as a trusted voice on all things Anfield in the process. Having followed Liverpool across England and Europe over the course of his career, David has filed from illustrious venues such as Camp Nou, the Allianz Arena and the Estadio do Dragao, as well as from multiple Champions League finals.