The Socceroos are on the verge of advancing to the third round of AFC 2026 World Cup qualifying after a 2-0 victory over Lebanon at CommBank Stadium. Keanu Baccus and Kye Rowles each scored their first goals for the national team as Australia cruised to an easy win.
Three points for Graham Arnold’s side in their next fixture, also against Lebanon in Canberra on Tuesday, will seal their progression to the next stage.
It was not all rosy for Australia, however, as Riley McGree and Jordan Bos were both forced off due to injury in the first half. There was no immediate update on either player at full-time.
“No, I can’t,” Arnold said post-game when asked if he was able to confirm the status of McGree and Bos.
“I have to wait for the medical staff to take a look at them. Riley’s in a boot at the moment and Jordy’s got (his meniscus) strapped. No doubt, they’ll go and get a scan tomorrow sometime and we’ll find out what the diagnosis is.
“I’d say both are out (for Tuesday’s rematch).”
Arnold would not be drawn on whether the surface, which looked heavy in patches, was a factor in either player’s injury.
“I can’t comment on that,” Arnold said.
It didn’t take Australia long to hit the front in Parramatta, with Keanu Baccus netting within the first five minutes. Taking possession on the right wing, the St Mirren midfielder’s seemingly mishit cross instead flew into the top corner to open the scoring.
Arnold was forced into an early change, with former Melbourne City man Jordan Bos called on to replace the injured Riley McGree after just 16 minutes of play. McGree’s foot was caught in the pitch and there was no contact, and the Middlesbrough playmaker looked visibly perturbed by the surface.
A deflected Kusini Yengi effort almost deceived Mostafa Matar but the Lebanon gloveman was able to scramble across and dive on the ball.
Bos went down after heavy contact but could continue after receiving medical attention. Just minutes later, however, Bos hit the turf once more and was this time forced off, lasting only 25 minutes as a sub before being replaced by Ajdin Hrustic at the back end of the first half.
Comfortably controlling possession but lacking cutting edge, the Socceroos were unable to add to their slim advantage as the half-time whistle rang out at CommBank Stadium.
Not to be outdone by Baccus, it was Kye Rowles’ turn to notch his first Socceroos goal nine minutes into the second half when the big centre-back cooly hit a half-volley past Matar following a corner-kick.
A rarity on the night, Mat Ryan was called upon to turn away Ali Tneich’s speculative effort from a tight angle.
Arnold, already forced into two changes earlier, then utilised his bench for the third and final time as Mitch Duke and John Iredale replaced Yengi and Adam Taggart.
In cruise control now the Socceroos were happy to maintain the ball and let their outclassed opponents try to win back possession.
Lebanon almost managed to peg Australia back after a poor giveaway led to a chance for Daniel Kuri, the substitute’s strike beating Ryan but bouncing back off the post.
A late free-kick on the edge of the area gave Lebanon another chance but Ryan was again up to the task.
It ended 2-0 in Parramatta as Australia extended their lead in Group I to seven points ahead of Lebanon with the Palestine-Bangladesh clash to come Friday morning (AEDT).
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The Socceroos and Lebanon will meet again in the nation’s capital on Tuesday evening, where a win will guarantee Australia’s place in the third round of AFC 2026 World Cup qualifying.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Disagree - that was the best the NRL had - a grand final replay and it was marginally more. It was on a main channel that rates well (don’t know why) and it is constantly advertised and discussed. The Socceroos are on a lesser channel on a low rating station with very limited advertising and discussion. And the beauty is the Matildas have them all covered!
Chopper07
Roar Rookie
A good appraisal and perhaps too kind to Arnie because they must be playing to instructions thats why they cost us so much with all of the hangers on. You have a player on form in Nisbet who is used to playing with Silvera and a centre forward in the Yengi mould that I believe would be ideal against the tight Lebanon defence. I must ask what Metcalfe brings to the team and I thought his St Pauli team mate had a poor game by his standards. However put all of that to one side and discuss how we can get more viewers. We must entertain and stop the sideways and back passing and go in a forward trajectory. it is a mindset that the Socceroos must get out of if they want more support.
NickA
Roar Rookie
and nice to have a game in Canberra so I can get along to it!
NickA
Roar Rookie
Hold on, who has Meulensteen missed in his scouting networks? Has he missed a gem playing in a random European league that would replace Souttar? Burgess? Boyle?
NickA
Roar Rookie
I had such high hopes for him. Still think Callum Elder could be worth another call up
NoMates
Roar Rookie
Just shows u how far down the ladder the Socceroo's have dropped, AFL will always be king with double the viewing and NRL topping them off. Cant see them finding any new sponsors to come with figures like that.
pacman
Roar Rookie
I agree Waz. We enjoyed a kinder bounce of the ball than did Lebanon. Mat Ryan far superior than his opposite number, whose ineptness gifted us our first goal (back pedal two steps and deflect away). Two excellent saves by Ryan. This backward and sideways passing is more than annoying. Presumably this is how our players are instructed to play. Vast improvements needed for us to impact further into the World cup.
AGO74
Roar Rookie
Another who has not gone on......still only 26.
AGO74
Roar Rookie
Your last sentence pretty much sums Arnie and this team up.
AGO74
Roar Rookie
TSS - you didn't actually answer Chris1's question....?
Grem
Roar Rookie
Half a million on 10 Bold with limited advertising on 10 (a lower rating channel overall) seems pretty good to me. There’s still a lot of people who didn’t know they were on.
Harry Brill
Roar Rookie
Well said Nick, couldn't agree more.
Harry Brill
Roar Rookie
Standard isn't it. There's football fans, then there's Eurosnobs.
chris1
Roar Rookie
No you went through basically the whole team. Im not trying to be argumentative - I'm genuinely interested. Because I actually think Arnie picks the players I would pick. So who should be in or out?
chris1
Roar Rookie
And yet Southgate has been Englands most successful manager (outside of Ramsay). As has Arnie (outside of Ange). And Arnie took us to 11th at the WC. Our best ever finish. You went strangely quiet at that time, but now you are back giving it to him. Maybe it is time for Arnie to go. Who knows. At least some of us gave him credit when it was due.
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
sometimes i am
Redondo
Roar Rookie
There are 11 positions - just go through them one by one
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
because majority of the squad/s he has chosen over the course of his time in charge have been rubbish thats why. - eg rewarding players by giving them the highest honor (playing for your country) when they're not playing weekly or have come back from a long-term injury. the only other coach that does this is gareth southgate who gets slaughtered by the media and fans alike and (rightly so) arnie cannot keep playing the same players and think things will change, part of the issue is his assistant (Meulensteen) not doing his job when it comes to actually scouting across all of europe (but thats also a problem with the actual scouting network) name me a position and ill give you some options on who could be viable alternative
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The team had a lot of height , but they got few set pieces , played two strikers but didnt find anyone with a cross. Lebanon played a low block , the wingers and the strikers in the first part of the match struggled to do anything. Taggart and Yengi were the odd couple, Taggart was in good positions on the last shoulder, the two times he got a ball that could have put him through on goal he stuffed up the touch he failed in holding up the ball as well, Yengi was in random spots most of the time and the rest of the time he was standing in the same spot as Taggart, he did beat players and his strength allows him to hold off players , I didnt see him making runs though and he usually loses the ball after beating players. Iredale showed some pace but poor control, his one shot was good I dont see why he was selected he would be probably a bench player in the A-league. Duke did a decent job with him holding the ball up. I would prefer Hrustic to play as the no 10 instead of two strikers and have the wingers making runs forward but if he does play on the wing he needs the fullback constantly overlapping. Yje question is though where are the wingers. Metcalfe was the worst on the ground he couldn;t control the ball and he failed to deliver anything despite having a lot of openings. Irvine played ok when he actualy got the ball , but didnt get a lot of it. I thought he ducks the responsibilty of playing out and left everythig to Bachusl Bos again showed he is a left back not winger he is good when he is running onto the ball not when he is receiving it . Bacchus has been given a bad rap, he had a very busy game , he was under pressure a lot and managed to play out under that presure for most of the game while constantly pressing and defending. I dont think his mis Fullbacks Atkinson was better and faster in defence, Rowles out place , neither overlapped is this Arnies new strategy. The two towers again they have this ability despite passing well at other times when under pressure to do howlers. If you dont get set pieces what is the point of playing them. Arnie sort of has backed himself into a corner, he seems more interested in trying to uncover forgotten Australia players or ancestry and avoid the A-league.
Garry
Roar Rookie
duh Allianz of course!