Argentina vs Australia Highlights & Review – Olympic Games 22 July 2021
Argentina vs Australia Review
Wales L.(Duke M.), Australia
Lachlan Wales (Australia) received a delightful pass inside the box before slotting the ball past the goalkeeper. What a brilliant finish!
Tilio M.(Duke M.), Australia
Marco Tilio (Australia) takes a great first touch to control a killer pass on the edge of the box and curls the ball inside the right post in trademark fashion.
‘Olyroos’ stun Argentina to end long Olympic drought
Australia have marked their return to Olympic action after a 13-year absence in style, claiming a shock 2-0 win over two-time gold medallists Argentina via goals from Lachie Wales and Marco Tilio.
Despite the disparity in Olympic pedigree, both sides began with a sense of fiery purpose, and a standout battle quickly emerged between Fernando Valenzuela and Joel King. Against prior expectations, King repeatedly thwarted his man, and then capitalised on his strong start in the 14th minute, dragging a pass across the box for Lachie Wales, who found the back of the net with ease.
Hoping to lead a quick fightback, Ezequiel Barco threatened most for the ‘Albicelestes’, rattling a shot off the crossbar 34 minutes in. However, Argentina’s task was made all the more difficult in the third minute of added time, when Francisco Ortega saw a second yellow card, following a confrontational argument with Birmingham midfielder Riley McGree.
Argentine goalkeeper Jeremias Ledesma was a force to be reckoned with after the break. Just minutes into the second half, he forced away a commanding Daniel Arzani shot, and on the 64-minute mark, he played the role of ‘Sweeper Keeper’ to save his side once again with exceptional positioning.
Meanwhile, McGree continued to be heavily involved for Australia, but he let his game do the talking this time, with a sensational long range effort falling just short. Instead, it was Marco Tilio who settled the matter, scoring with only his second touch as an Olympian, curling the ball expertly inside the right-hand post
This proved to be Australia’s second win in a row, while Argentina will be wondering how much of an impact that red card had on the overall result of the game. For now, the Olyroos will embrace top spot in the ‘Group of Death’, before they face another huge challenge against Spain on Sunday. As for Argentina, they will have to revise their tactics after a forgettable start, as Egypt lie in wait on matchday two.
Srdjan Jovanovic is looking at his watch and immediately ends this match.