Figueroa 'tricks' in Argentina win

Luciano Figueroa scored a hat-trick to lead Argentina through to the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup with a scrambled 4-2 win over Australia on Saturday.

Argentina, leading 3-0 by the 53rd minute with two goals from Figueroa and a Juan Roman Riquelme penalty, gave Australia hope when Fabricio Coloccini conceded a penalty that John Aloisi converted in the 61st minute.

Aloisi then capitalised on a terrible mistake from defender Gabriel Heinze to grab his fourth goal of the tournament and make it 3-2 with 20 minutes to go.

Argentina had a few nervous moments but secured the win when Figueroa swept in to convert a free-kick taken from the right a minute from time.

Victory was enough to send Argentina and Germany through to the last four with six points apiece, after the hosts had beaten Tunisia 3-0 in the earlier game.

The two favourites will fight it out for top spot in Group A in Nuremberg on Tuesday.