As one of three overage players for Javier Mascherano’s Under-23s, City’s forward started his third straight match at the competition fresh from helping Lionel Scaonli’s seniors to Copa America glory earlier in July.
La Arana’s nation knew they’d progress into the knockout stages if they avoided defeat to the European country following a loss to Morocco and a victory over Iraq in their opening assignments.
They then collected a further three points but finished second in Group B after Morocco’s 3-0 win over Iraq saw the African nation leapfrog them to the summit due to their head-to-head record after the sides recorded the same goal difference and goals scored.
It means Argentina will face the winners of Group A, France, in the last-eight at Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux.
With all four teams in Group B recording four points across their opening two matches, the final round of matches were finely poised with quarter-final places up for grabs.
But Argentina knew they’d progress if they avoided defeat due to their positive goal difference bettering each of their counterparts heading into the last round of fixtures.
Regardless, the match’s first chance fell to Alvarez when the ball fell into his path before fizzing an effort over the bar from range after readjusting his feet well.
Buoyed by their 90’+8’ winner against Morocco last time out, though, Ukraine then pushed for the opener and Andriy Batagov felt he should’ve done better when he produced a classy first touch following a free-kick before his goalbound strike was bravely blocked.
In a well contested first half, chances were at a premium before the interval with so much at stake and neither side wanting to make any unforced errors.
But the game sparked into life shortly after the break when Thiago Almada produced a stunning strike from range – curling into the top corner to break the deadlock for Mascherano’s men.
Following their opener, Argentina defended heroically before rubber-stamping the success after Claudio Echeverri - who was on loan at River Plate from City during the second half of last term- netted in stoppage-time.
However, Alvarez and Co. were leapfrogged by Morocco to Group B’s summit thanks to their 3-0 win over Iraq which meant they equalled the South Americans’ goal difference and goals scored - moving the African nation to the summit on head-to-head record.
It means Argentina will play France, the winners of Group A, on Friday 2 August at 20:00 (UK).
