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The Socceroos have fallen to an agonising 1-0 defeat to England, with Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins’ second half goal the difference on a night that could easily have gone the other way.
On their first visit to Wembley Stadium, Australia matched their more heralded hosts and, until the hour mark, had enjoyed the better of the chances, only for their lack of top-end attacking quality to let them down.
Unfortunately for them, England have an abundance in that area: they could leave Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane out, but still call upon the likes of Jack Grealish, James Maddison and Watkins, who has been on fire in the Premier League.
The game’s best moment, Grealish – all $139m of him – produced a superb touch and cross for Watkins to finish. The Socceroos dozed for a second and were brutally punished.
Arnold handed a debut to St Mirren right back Ryan Strain – one of six with Scottish connections in the Socceroos line-up – and it was the defender who will have the toughest time sleeping tonight, as he was presented with a golden chance to open the scoring late in the first half, only for his shot to be blocked on the line.
Conor Metcalfe, the St Pauli midfielder, hit the post late on and had another effort saved by England keeper Sam Johnstone, with the custodian also denying Keanu Bacchus and Kye Rowles.
“I was happy with the way we played,” said Arnold, audibly struggling with his voice after a frantic night in London.
“We created chances, we did very well, and against a top team like England, it’s disappointing to lose.”
(Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
The first half ended goalless, though how remains a mystery. Australia had several superb chances to open the scoring, with Mitch Duke firing wide from a Martin Boyle cross, Rowles twice coming close from set pieces and, finally, debutant Strain having a shot cleared off the line by Lewis Dunk.
England, for their part, missed a fair few. Watkins had the best of their opportunities, rounding Matt Ryan but hitting the post, while James Maddison failed to connect with a Conor Gallagher cross that flashed across the face of the goal.
The balance of play was what might have been expected – England had 67% of the ball – but that suited the Socceroos down to the ground, and the hosts were consistently unable to deal with the pace of Craig Goodwin and Boyle in transition or the height of Souttar, Rowles and Duke from set pieces.
It was a proper game, too, which benefited Australia. Referee Stéphanie Frappart dished out four yellow cards, probably a record for a friendly match, as tackles flew in and the Socceroos sought to get into the faces of their more illustrious opponents.
England came out with a little more verve, but it took them to the hour mark to breach the defence.
When it came, it was a momentary lapse from Australia, which against the level of quality – even in a second string England – was able to immediately pounce.
The goal began from a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross that sailed over the defence to the back post, where Grealish was able to control instantly with his first touch, then return across goal with his second for Watkins to slide home.
Both sides rung the changes, with the inevitable result of a much scrappier, disjointed game.
Jordy Bos, brought on as a left winger, was immediately impactful and won a corner, from which Australia should have equalised as Metcalfe rose high, unimpeded at the back post, but his header only found the upright.
On their next foray, he again connected, but Johnstone was up to the task.