The Socceroos are leading Mexico 1-0 through a Harry Souttar header in an early preview of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 2026 World Cup is being held in Mexico, the United States and Canada – with this match
against the world’s 12th-ranked team an early opportunity for Australia to accustom themselves to playing in North America.
The clash is an valuable opportunity for a fresh-faced Socceroos side to gel ahead of the start of World Cup qualifying in November, with the Asian Cup a key priority in Qatar in January.
Following Aaron Mooy’s retirement, it is a crucial chance for Graham Arnold to test his midfield combinations, while he also handed a starting debut Cameron Burgess in the centre of defence alongside Harry Souttar.
Souttar is out of favour at English Championship side Leicester City, but the towering centre-back opened the scoring for Australia with a glancing header into the bottom corner from a Jackson Irvine corner.
The goal came in the 16th minute after a scrappy start on an extremely poor artificial pitch at AT&T Stadium, home of NFL side the Dallas Cowboys.
After losing possession repeatedly as they struggled to come to terms in the opening minutes with the watered artificial pitch, the Socceroos settled after the opening ten minutes and began to wrestle their way into the match.
They began to stretch and strain the Mexico defence, particularly on the counter-attack – with Mexico dominating possession but the Socceroos turning the ball over and flooding forward at pace.
Jackson Irvine was exceptional in both turning the ball over in midfield and distributing it forward, and he was rewarded for his sensational start with the assist for the opening goal.
Australia continued to pressure the Mexican defence in the first half-hour, with Irvine nearly finding Martin Boyle at the back post with a cross that was just inches over the head of the pacy winger – the Socceroos best chance besides the goal.
Despite the weight of possession, Mexico struggled to create strong chances in front of goal, with their first shot on target coming in the 36th minute after a neat back-heel pass into the box saw a first-time shot lashed towards Australian captain Mat Ryan.
Pressure was building on the Socceroos, with Mexico repeatedly bombing the ball into the box from wide areas and racking up corners, forcing the Socceroos to defend with their backs against the wall.
In the 43rd minute, there was a scary moment for the Australian defence as the ball bounced down in the area after a cross was whipped in from the right. Right-back Nathaniel Atkinson was forced to scramble as a Mexico striker raced towards the ball, but managed to get a toe to the ball with a desperate lunging tackle which also collected his opponent, sparking calls for a penalty which were waved away by the referee.
Veteran striker Mitch Duke received a booking in the 46th minute for a high boot which sparked a push-and-shove with defender Edson Alvarez as tension rose, with the pair agai nbutting heads as they marched off the field for half-time.
TEAM NEWS
Mitch Duke leads the line.
Defender Kye Rowles is being tested at left-back instead of his usual central position, which opens up a spot for Burgess to partner Souttar in the heart of the backline. Nathaniel Atkinson features at right back.
Martin Boyle is back on the right flank after missing the World Cup in Qatar due to an ACL injury, with Riley McGree on the left side given Mat Leckie suffered an injury in training in the lead-up to the match.
And in the midfield, the team features Keanu Baccus, Jackson Irvine and Connor Metcalfe in a new-look trio following the retirement of Aaron Mooy.
Captain Mat Ryan maintains his spot between the sticks.
On the bench, Samuel Silvera is expected to make his debut later in the match.
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Socceroos keen to fill Mooy’s hole | 00:39
