The Socceroos come face-to-face with history on Sunday morning, with the chance to record arguably the greatest victory in Australian sporting history, facing World Cup fancies Argentina in the round of 16.
Lionel Messi’s powerhouse side is a red-hot favourite but having already recorded their best men’s World Cup performance ever, Graham Arnold’s side is dreaming of another boilover and a first ever quarter-final berth.
Follow Australia v Argentina from 6am AEDT Sunday in our live blog below!
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Souttar ready to line up against Messi! | 02:52
ARGENTINA STAR IN SERIOUS DOUBT
Juventus star Angel Di Maria remains in doubt to line up for Argentina against Australia on Sunday morning after being subbed out with an injury in his nation’s final group stage match.
Di Maria was examined the day after the Argentine win over Poland, where he was withdrawn after complaining of thigh discomfort, initially said to be a precautionary measure.
But with hours left before the round of 16 contest his status remains unclear.
Di Maria has played just 10 games this Serie A season, missing 12 through various injuries.
South Korea celebrate dramatic win | 02:02
AUSSIE CHANCES OF PULLING HISTORIC UPSET REVEALED
Thought playing France was hard? According to the numbers, this will be even harder.
Stats Insider’s 10,000 simulations of Australia’s clash with Argentina suggest the Socceroos have just a 6.6% chance of winning – lower than the 7.8% they gave them heading into the loss to France.
But this is where the knockout stage rules can help Graham Arnold’s men, because they have the Grey Wiggle on their side.
With a 15.5% chance of a draw, just getting to penalties could allow Andrew Redmayne to become the hero, just as he was in the confederation playoffs shootout that got Australia to Qatar.
And for what it’s worth, Sunday’s game is being played at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan – the same venue where Australia stunned Peru.
The most likely full-time score is tipped to be 2-0 Argentina (16% chance), and a 1-1 draw (7%) is more likely than Australia winning by any scoreline.
Meanwhile Stats Perform gives Australia an 18.2% chance of advancing into the quarter-finals.
If the Socceroos advance to the quarter-finals their most likely opponent is the Netherlands (65.9%), with Brazil their most likely semi-final opponent should they incredibly reach that far.
Follow Australia’s Socceroos v Argentina in our live blog below!
