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):
