Seven months on from their gripping World Cup round of 16 clash in Doha, world champions Argentina have defeated Australia 2-0 in Beijing.
An early Lionel Messi strike and Germán Pezzella’s header were the difference between the two sides in a mostly even affair at the Workers’ Stadium.
Indeed, just when you think there are no more records for Messi to break, another falls: his strike, coming just 81 seconds in, was the fastest of his career.
Two horror moments let the Socceroos down in an otherwise capable performance in their first outing since a double header against Ecuador in March.
There were some positives for Graham Arnold, but a crucial turnover in the lead-up to the Messi strike and Pezzella somehow being left unmarked will have caused plenty of frustration.
It didn’t take long for Messi to make his mark. He capitalised on a Socceroos defensive mistake with a trademark curling effort past Mat Ryan in just the second minute of play to give Argentina a very early lead.
The dreadful start would certainly not have pleased Arnold, who had pivoted to a 4-4-2 set-up for the friendly and brought Keanu Baccus back into the starting 11 to partner Aiden O’Neill in midfield.
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni selected a strong line-up, featuring the likes of new Liverpool signing Alexis Mac Allister, Angel Di Maria and, of course, Messi.
The superstar, who is on the brink of joining MLS club Inter Miami, was involved in everything early, playing give-and-gos with Di Maria and torturing the Socceroos backline.
Messi mania was in full force at the Workers’ Stadium, with 68,000 fans collectively gasping every time the 35-year-old touched the ball.
Australia struggled for any momentum in attack, routinely giving the ball away cheaply thanks to a concerted Argentina press.
Mitch Duke had his side’s first real chance of the night, but was denied by an excellent Emi Martinez reflex save down to his left after Jordan Bos sent a perfect delivery into the penalty area.
After the disastrous start and a poor opening 10 minutes, Australia had managed to settle well and went into half-time with the balance of play fairly even.
The Socceroos began to enjoy a much better period, controlling possession and applying pressure with multiple corners, though Messi had another chance but could only direct a chip on his weaker right foot over Ryan’s crossbar.
Arnold went to his bench at the break, with Jamie Maclaren making way for Ajdin Hrustic. There was no change in shape as Maclaren’s club teammate Mat Leckie joined Duke up top.
Ryan was under fire as soon as the second half got underway, making a fantastic double save to deny Di Maria a second Argentina goal.
Scaloni then withdrew Mac Allister, giving Julian Alvarez the final third of the contest to make an impression with Di Maria also taken off.
As the minutes ticked down Arnold went for another change, Western Sydney Wanderer Brandon Borrello replaced Duke.
Nineteen-year-old centre-half Alessandro Circati, called up to the national team for the first time, would have to wait for his Socceroos debut.
The second goal came with 68 minutes on the block. Messi combined well with Rodrigo De Paul at a corner, and the midfielder expertly picked out an unmarked Pezzella. The centre-half made no mistake with the free header.
As competent as the Socceroos had looked, it was two defensive howlers that proved to be the difference between them and the world champions.
It would end 2-0, with the Chinese fans getting what they came to see and Scaloni walking away the more satisfied manager.
Only three FIFA windows now remain before Arnold will select his Asian Cup squad, providing limited opportunities for combinations to gel. Football Australia’s choice of opponents for those windows will be imperative.
This was a tough task against one of the best sides in the world, and it may not get much easier for Australia, depending on who the Socceroos will take on in the following windows.
What’s for certain is that more complete performances will be demanded by Arnold as he chases his first trophy as national team boss in Qatar next January.
Football Fan
Roar Rookie
I think your expectations are a bit high. We are good, much better than most Eurosnobs gave us credit for before the WC but to expect to beat the world champions is unrealistic.
Football Fan
Roar Rookie
That's right, the APL needs to provide explicit instructions to Channel 10 and Paramount+ to push this message during telecasts of Socceroo matches such as last night. The other question is, what plans does the APL have to take advantage and promote the ALM and ALW during the WWC next month? There will be many people attending the WWC matches who don't follow the A-Leagues, will the clubs have any sort of marketing initiatives planned to promote themselves at the stadia entrances? Does the APL have a strategy? My bet is no.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Borello maybe too..oh and some of the other youngsters!
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
it's common practice for many sporting teams to wear their names in Chinese characters when playing in China to a multi-million Chinese viewer audience. Not sure why we didn't do it.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
I would say Arnie has an eye to the future with his active involvement in the underage squads. Can't see why else he would be involved. Our defence needs as much attention as our attack, but then so too does our midfield. But still, we looked fairly good for a large portion of last nights match, I thought anyway.
Gilberto
Roar Rookie
Ryan will be 34 at the next World Cup. For a keeper that's just about prime. The Duke Maclaren duo I believe is all about the Asian Cup. Beyond January 2024 I would ditch them both and start selecting Mabil, Hrustic, Genreau & Tilio to try and form the 2026 lineup.
Gilberto
Roar Rookie
From a coach's perspective isn't every goal a defensive error. That's why the Italians call 0-0 the perfect game
Gilberto
Roar Rookie
I think that's logical in a World Cup and is essentially what we did do playing Leckie as the front man. However in the Asian Cup opponenets are likely to sit back so I get the 4-4-2 with Duke and Maclaren because you won't be facing Argentina, you'll be needing to make the play and take your opportunity when it comes especially in the earlier games
chris1
Roar Rookie
Actually I don't remember Souttar struggling at all. In fact he keeps getting better. I used to think he wasn't good enough as well, but I've changed my mind. SS you can change your mind you know, it's ok to.
chris1
Roar Rookie
I think you will find that the players not selected were either unavailable (injured or playing in other tournaments) or not Australian. Sammy Silvera probably the only one who should probably have been there but wasn't.
Cavaquinho
Roar Rookie
I have a different recollection of Souttar in qualification. While he played we were steaming along winning everything, then when he was injured the wheels fell off. When he returned for the World Cup, probably prematurely for the injury he had, our results turned for the better again. Maybe coincidence but I doubt it.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Agree – the standard of this competition and the development of young talent should be talked about and used as a catalyst to get more people playing and watching the game. Obviously Channels 7 and 9 won’t push that message nor most of the daily papers, so the APL need to.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
veart wears no blame in anything, hes never forced goodwin to play against his will or do anything out of the ordinary given the severity and how debilitating of an injury this is- it was the players choice to do painful electro therapy rather than wanting to have surgery (now he will need to have surgery) it was an international window, the player was open to being selected and the club couldn't do anything in the situation given this the issue is the national team coach telling the club that the player wouldnt play any more than 30 mins, after adelaide had made mention of the injury - but goody ended up playing 70 & 80 mins in both matches on pitches that were in poor condition due to other sports being played on them. its appalling that football is still being played on cricket pitches (like that match against ecuador at marvel) in this country. he got back home to adelaide and his groin was as bad as it was in pre season, its no coincidence that his form dipped in the last several matches of the season due to reinjuring it.
mrl
Roar Rookie
NoMates is okay. He stimulates debate and nobody gets injured. He has a point, we are capable of beating those guys...as long as those little chances are become goals.
Garry
Roar Rookie
We missed the sharpness of Goodwin and Garang. McGree was the only one who showed real speed.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
I just expected a little more up front, in the world cup they beat the Socceroo's due to a goal keeper error. So World Champions or not Socceroos should have really taken it to them like before. It was like watching jet lagged legs.
Garry
Roar Rookie
you're a cynic :stoked:
Midfielder
Roar Guru
yep
Football Fan
Roar Rookie
Such a bad take on the game NoMates. Do you go out of your way to start debates? Considering we played the WORLD CHAMPIONS, we played really well.
David Shilovsky
Expert
Call me a cynic, but was that all part of the commercial arrangement? This game was obviously all about one player and how much money he brings in but I'm not especially keen on Australia being involved again.