The night when Australia’s band of no-frills players took Lionel Messi and the world No.3 Argentina to the last kick of the game? We just watched it.
As the Socceroos’ World Cup campaign comes to a gut-wrenching end with a 2-1 loss in Qatar, here’s how Graham Arnold’s men rated in the round of 16 clash.
Maty Ryan: 4.5/10
The stuff of nightmares. Tried to dribble out of his own six-yard box which gifted Julian Alvarez Argentina’s second goal, almost his first meaningful contribution after only picking the ball out of the net in the first half thanks to Lionel Messi’s strike. Made two huge saves in stoppage time from Lautaro Martinez to give his side a chance. Didn’t deserve to finish an otherwise outstanding tournament like this.
Milos Degenek: 6.5
Rewarded for his fantastic game against Denmark by keeping his place for the round of 16 match, the third right back used by Graham Arnold in the tournament. Barely missed a beat in defence. Picked up a questionable yellow for an elbow on Marcos Acuna. Taken off mid-way through the second half for fresh legs.
Harry Souttar: 8
Big Harry. Dirty Harry. Harry Houdini. Our Harry. Another unbelievable performance from Australia’s centre back colossus, who clattered Lionel Messi in one challenge and held his nerve throughout. Thrown forward as a makeshift striker in the desperate final minutes as the Socceroos searched for an equaliser. Premier League? La Liga? Bundesliga? It’s only a matter of time before he’s in one of Europe’s big leagues. Australia’s best of the tournament.
Harry Souttar battles Lautaro Martinez for the ball.Credit:AP
Kye Rowles: 6.5
Batman to Souttar’s Robin. His partnership with Souttar just keeps flourishing with every game, and he looked at home against the threat of Messi and the world No.3. Might regret his backpass to Ryan which put him under a little bit of pressure for Argentina’s second goal, but the gloveman should have cleared regardless. A staple for years to come.
Aziz Behich: 8
Had a whole country dreaming for one superb moment. Almost looked Australia’s best attacking outlet down the left for much of the game, and a mazy, dreamy, solo run almost brought a world power to its knees with a late equaliser. Will be regretting his cheap foul on Alejandro Gomez from a throw-in in the first half which led to the free kick before Messi’s goal. Top class.
Aaron Mooy: 7
I’m just tired looking at him. Has run himself into the ground anchoring Australia’s midfield with four games in a week-and-a-half, and for large parts kept Messi’s space to a premium. A couple of touches late on which looked like they were due to heavy legs, but who could blame him?
Jackson Irvine: 6.5
See above. Can you believe he almost ran 13km in this game alone, with 66 sprints? Could not have given more physically in this tournament, and played further up the pitch, a la the second half against Denmark. Walked a tightrope for most of the match after an early yellow card for lunging in on Acuna. Might have lacked the quality touch when needed, but a figure Graham Arnold can keep building this team around.
Keanu Baccus: 6.5
Rewarded with a starting spot in the only change to the XI after his superb contribution against Denmark. Sat in deep alongside Mooy and gave Argentina little space between the lines. Lasted a little less than an hour before being replaced as the Socceroos pressed for a response. Another whose reputation has only been enhanced.
Riley McGree: 6
Shifted to the left again after being used there against Denmark in the second half. As expected, limited opportunities to shine with Australia in transition, and might rue not completely tracking Messi for the first goal. Would it have mattered if he did? Maybe not. Given a break after 58 minutes. Top tournament.
Mathew Leckie: 6
The veteran who joined Mat Ryan as Australia’s most capped player at a World Cup. Constantly made runs to make space for others, but understandably was asked to do more work without the ball absorbing Argentina’s pressure in the first hour. Part of a triple change when taken off at 72 minutes. Might be his last World Cup, but what a career if it is.
Mitch Duke: 6
Just kept running and running and running. Barely touched the ball – but that was expected – and perhaps no player has exemplified Australia’s World Cup run than the selfless striker. Almost nabbed the ball off Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez, who might have had his own Mat Ryan moment. Finally given a breather with 20 minutes left. Deserves a long sleep.
Substitutes
Craig Goodwin: 7.5
Was it his goal? Was it not? Doesn’t matter. Almost looked Australia’s biggest threat after replacing McGree at the hour, and finished a World Cup which started with his goal against France with a deflected effort which gave a country hope. Easily the biggest impact of Arnold’s substitutes.
Ajdin Hrustic: 6
It just felt like this World Cup just came at the wrong time, didn’t it? Australia’s best player during the arduous qualification, was always racing the clock against injury to be primed for this and only got the last half hour in place of Baccus. Had a couple of neat touches, and curled one effort just wide inside the last 10 minutes which would have sent a country into meltdown.
Jamie Maclaren: 5
Frontman given limited time this tournament. Had one half opening when awkward ball fell to him in box, but couldn’t get it under control.
Garang Kuol: 5
It could have been. The youngest player to feature in a World Cup knockout match since Pele, the Premier League-bound teenager had a moment which had a nation on its feet. But on the spin, his 97th-minute shot was smothered to safety by Martinez, almost the last kick of the game. Struggled to get in the match otherwise, playing more centrally than usual after climbing off the bench in the 72nd minute. A star for many years to come.
Fran Karacic: 5
Fresh legs for Degenek down the right in the second half and understandably was caught a little out of position in the final manic moments as Australia threw bodies forward. Solid.
Watch every match of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League on Stan Sport. Returns for the Round of 16 in February 2023, with all matches streaming ad-free, live and on demand.
