In Argentina, the Socceroos are seen as a strong team who pressure on rivals, wear them down physically and occasionally catch a team by surprise with a shock goal. And a shock win.
But if they’re being truthful, the mood in Argentina ahead of Sunday’s match-up is optimistic. And if anyone is going to bring about the demise of the famous blue-and-white jersey at the 2022 World Cup, it is Argentina themselves.
“After a bad debut against Saudi Arabia, Argentina began to recover its best version against Mexico and Poland, and the team that won Copa América against Brazil in 2021 reappeared,” Leo Garbossa, an Argentinian journalist with La Capital, told the Herald from Buenos Aires.
“That is why there is a lot of optimism that they can beat Australia, always without underestimating. Argentina’s main enemy is Argentina. When they don’t find their game, they get disorganised, but when they find it, it’s very difficult for them to lose.”
While some Australian sports teams and identities are better known in Argentina – think the Wallabies, the Boomers and Lleyton Hewitt – the Socceroos players aren’t as anonymous as you might imagine in the South American nation, says ESPN sports presenter Fabian Taboada.
“We watch a lot of football from Europe, where there are a lot of Australian players. Mathew Ryan and Aaron Mooy will be the best known,” Taboada said.
The nation mourned after Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia.Credit:AP
“The A-League is not very well known. The time change is a problem to see your league, but in Argentina there is even a sports journalist who wrote a book on Australian football. He is Juan Manuel D’Angelo and his book is Socceroos.”
Naturally, the feats of the Socceroos haven’t been occupying much of Argentina’s devoted attention during the 2022 World Cup, given Lionel Messi’s side began disastrously after losing to Saudi Arabia in the opening round. It remains the biggest upset, rankings-wise, of the tournament.
“The [national] mood collapsed,” Garbossa said. “Argentina came from 36 games undefeated and was just one away from reaching Italy’s all-time record. We had just won the Copa América against Brazil, at home, after a long time without winning a title. And we came from crushing Italy in the final.
“Those results brought Argentina to Qatar in the best possible way and with great expectations. The defeat against Saudi Arabia was very hard, but it was known that the team was going to get back up.
Taboada says: “There is a lot of confidence in this team. The team is better than the last World Cup. But the games have to be played.”
Early analysis of the Australian team in Argentinian media is limited in its scope. La Nacion posted an article on Friday explaining why Australia wear yellow and green when the national flag’s colours are red, white and blue.
The front page of La Nacion’s paper on Friday.Credit:La Nacion
Argentinians have now rushed to watch Australia’s games and despite warnings from manager to not underestimate the Socceroos, there is a confidence Messi’s last World Cup game won’t be on Sunday morning.
“From what I could see, it is a team with strong players, who impose a lot of pressure and who seek to wear you down physically,” Garbossa said.
“It has a strong defence, which does not make big mistakes or risk more than it should. Perhaps he lacks more weight creatively and in attack, but he can give Argentina a lot of work.”
Taboada is impressed with Graham Arnold’s side. He is not as convinced as many others.
“Australia is a strong team. It has good ideas and a clear plan and this is a World Cup with many surprises. Australia should take the example of Saudi Arabia,” Taboada said.
And what would be the national mood if, God forbid, the Socceroos pulled off the biggest upset in World Cup history?
“It would be very disappointing, a failure,” Garbossa said. “Not detracting from Australia, but for all the expectation for the team in the people. It would really be a very hard blow for Argentina. But it the most golden page in the history of Australian sport.”
