Sixteen years in the past the Socceroos pushed the eventual World Cup winners to the dying minute of their Spherical of 16 conflict.
It got here all the way down to beneath 30 seconds left in added time earlier than Fabio Grosso fell over Lucas Neil within the penalty field which Fransesco Totti put into the again of the web.
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The second nonetheless burns for soccer trustworthy Down Below, however on Sunday morning the Aussies have an opportunity to bury the previous.
Standing of their method are South American powerhouse Argentina who, entered the Qatar World Cup as second favorite, behind Brazil.
They’re led by famous person Lionel Messi who in his last World Cup marketing campaign is wanting so as to add the one lacking piece of silverware to his illustrious profession.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni tried to say underdog standing forward of the Sunday morning (AEDT) showdown, insisting his aspect isn’t favourites.
Bookmakers and followers all over the world see a vastly totally different image with Argentina closely favoured to advance and face the winner of Netherlands vs USA.
The Aussies enter the knockout phases because the highest-priced outsider ($13), at narrowly increased odds than South Korea (vs Brazil) and Poland (vs France).
Whereas we’ve seen loads of monumental upsets to this point all through this World Cup marketing campaign, Australia knocking off the third ranked aspect on this planet would prime the lot.
The South American giants have the eighth Most worthy squad on the soccer market with the mixed worth coming in at an eye-watering $1.1 billion.
As compared, Australia’s is valued at a reasonably low $58 million. Of all 32 World Cup nations, Australia solely ranked above Qatar and Costa Rica.
Messi alone rakes in extra money than all the Socceroos squad.
Looking for an angle for Argentina being the underdog could be a harder job than the Aussies pulling out the win.
However then once more the Aussies weren’t anticipated to even make it out of the group stage and but, right here we’re.
Not solely would a shocking upset victory over Argentina propel the Socceroos into the historical past books among the many biggest moments in Australian sporting historical past, it will lead to a staggering prizemoney windfall.
The successful nation will earn a staggering $AUD61 million with whole prizemoney throughout the Qatar World Cup coming in at $647m.
For merely making the World Cup Australia acquired a $13m cheque, however that rose to $19m for making it into the Spherical of 16.
And in the event that they pull off the victory no one thinks potential? That prizemoney will leap to $25m. Whereas the cash is for the nation, the enjoying group have acquired a hefty sum for his or her efforts.
Every participant on the squad for reaching the Spherical of 16 has to this point pocketed $316,000, one other win and so they’ll every stroll away with just below half 1,000,000 every with $430,000 for every member within the squad.
Many wrote the Aussies off following their 4-1 defeat by the hands of France of their World Cup opener, however they’ve turned it round and made historical past by successful their previous two video games.
The upsets have been a continuing all through the group stage, right here’s hoping it continues within the Spherical of 16.
