Argentina
2
Match Complete
Australia
1
| 77' |  | E. Fern??ndez | ||
| J. ??lvarez | | 57' | ||
| 38' |  | M. Degenek | ||
| L. Messi | | 35' | ||
| 15' | | J. Irvine |
| 14 | Shots | 5 | ||
| 5 | On Target | 1 | ||
| 8 | Fouls | 15 | ||
| 1 | Corners | 3 | ||
| 4 | Offsides | 0 | ||
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
The Socceroos take on the might of South American powerhouse Argentina in a World Cup Round of 16 knock-out clash. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6am (AEDT).
In what has been the wildest of roads through qualification, an intercontinental playoff and a complex group stage in Qatar, the Socceroos have found themselves in a Round of 16 match-up with Argentina.
It is has been nothing less than a superhuman effort from the Australians as they bounced back from a 4-1 defeat to France with wins over Tunisia and Denmark, securing them a birth in the knock-out phase of the tournament.
Coach Graham Arnold has backed a small, core group of players thus far and will potentially do so again this morning, with Craig Goodwin the one most likely to make way after struggling against Denmark in the first half.
Mathew Leckie, Aaron Mooy and Jackson Irvine will be required to empty their tanks yet again, should the Australians have any chance against what looks a formidable Argentinian team.
Lionel Messi has already found the net twice in Qatar, Angel Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez loom as serious threats on the flanks and the Socceroo defence that has performed so admirably will be called on time and time again.
Both teams have produced two clean sheets after losing their opening fixtures of the tournament, with Argentina under early pressure after a shock loss to Saudi Arabia. Since, they have been efficient and precise in disposing of Mexico and Poland; dominating possession statistics and creating multiple chances in front of goal.
The Socceroos’ results have come off the back of low possession and the ability to counter quickly, something that will be a challenging task against what does look an imposing Argentinian defensive unit. After considerable squad rotation, the South Americans have the depth of resources that the Socceroos do not; a potential key factor in deciding the winner of this contest.
It is history on the line for the Socceroos yet the emotion will need to be set to one side, with the most diligent and disciplined of performances required in the famous green and gold strip. If the tournament has taught us anything to this point, it is that upsets are more than achievable and the Socceroos will be hoping for another, based on the grit and determination they have shown thus far in Qatar.
Prediction
It looks just too fanciful to see a Socceroo win against one of the most professional and well-organised teams at the World Cup. As hopeful as Australian fans may be, this challenge is an even greater one than what was presented by the world No.10 Denmark.
It will be a brave and gutsy effort from the Aussies, with the class of the Argentinian front three eventually breaking the damn wall in the second half.
Game information
Venue: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar
Kick-off: 6am (AEDT)
TV: SBS
Live stream: SBS On Demand
Odds: Argentina $1.20; Draw $6.50; Australia $15 – odds via PlayUp
Catch all the action on The Roar‘s live coverage from 6am (AEDT).
Teams
Socceroos
Mat Ryan, Andrew Redmayne, Danny Vukovic, Milos Degenek, Aziz Behich, Joel King, Nathaniel Atkinson, Fran Karacic, Harry Souttar, Kye Rowles, Bailey Wright, Thomas Deng, Aaron Mooy, Jackson Irvine, Ajdin Hrustic, Keanu Baccus, Cameron Devlin, Riley McGree, Awer Mabil, Mathew Leckie, Jamie Maclaren, Jason Cummings, Mitchell Duke, Garang Kuol, Craig Goodwin, Marco Tilio
Argentina
Emiliano Martinez, Geronimo Rulli, Franco Armani, Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, German Pezzella, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Marcos Acuna, Nicolas Tagliafico, Juan Foyth, Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Guido Rodriguez, Papu Gomez, Enzo Fernandez, Exequiel Palacios, Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez, Paulo Dybala, Angel Correa, Thiago Almada
nics
Roar Rookie
A real man takes matters into his own hands ;)
Tony
Roar Guru
Don't forget the mittens :laughing:
nics
Roar Rookie
Nothing to celebrate on my end. Its just like Australia winning the League World Cup, a fait accompli. Good night.
Tony
Roar Guru
Perhaps you should be the one wearing mittens? Otherwise, you just may go blind.
nics
Roar Rookie
Tony, I'm not sure where all the replies have gone to, but it's not as sad as you waking up to "not watch", and declare that you're not watching, the Soccerroos. Maybe it's time to come out of the closet given you seem to spend a lot of time watching something you apparently despise? Also, some of us happen to be widely read (I'm sure you did not have to google who the Bard was). Look, as much as I've enjoyed chatting to you Tony, it's a bit like taking candy from a baby on my end, so I wish you well. Take care, and don't wear mittens if you need to do your sums!
Tony
Roar Guru
It appears that anyone who points out a serious deficiency in the game on the soccer tab is a troll. Instead of just taking the easy way out and deflecting, why don't you advance the argument that diving in soccer is either not a problem, or is actually a good thing for the game? I'd love to hear it.
Tony
Roar Guru
I really should let you have the last word. You obviously need it.
Tony
Roar Guru
God I love the fact that you went back through the thread to write down the names of all those on it. :laughing: How sad for you, and googling Shakespeare, priceless. :laughing:
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
There are so many finals across so many decades they need to avenge, they need to write a list. Sure is a long one, but you can only fall short at the final hurdle one tournament at a time.
nics
Roar Rookie
There’s an Aiden, Chris, a Matt, a Rowdy and a Grem in this thread. Specsavers time? If you’re going to troll at least get your facts right. Time for you to get some beauty sleep after staying up late not watching the game apparently. As the Bard puts it “the lady doth protest too much”
Tony
Roar Guru
Only one other by my count (just needed one finger as it turns out) so I guess the rest are your imaginary friends.
nics
Roar Rookie
Read your original post. Read the replies. They are from more than one poster. I think there are less than 6 separate posters so you should have no issues with the math (hint: use your fingers, and toes if required). Grammar is the last refuge when you’ve lost the argument. Have a good evening. We’re done here.
Tony
Roar Guru
"All"? Is there more than one of you?
nics
Roar Rookie
Well you lost us all at “rugby league fan” so touche.
Tony
Roar Guru
You lost me at "my".
nics
Roar Rookie
Told you not to stay up watching the game mate. You can watch replays on SBS
Tony
Roar Guru
Zzzzzz
nics
Roar Rookie
I think he forgot the League world cup (Australia A v Australia B v Australia C) is over and got confused. Poor thing. Must have been all those head hits.
nics
Roar Rookie
My previous response has disappeared into the internet. I can't be bothered repeating myself. I'll say this. You seem to be holding football to this paradigm of manliness and perfection. I doubt you'll find a football fan who says their sport is perfect. However your version of manliness apparently involves a neanderthalian sport where meathead participants bash themselves into each other and then kick the ball away (and thats before we get into what league players get up to in the off season). You'll forgive us I'm sure if some of us don't consider those things particularly inspiring, or if we don't really give any hoots about what you deem is "manly". I'll give you a tip - you don't have to watch it if your sense of manliness is so vulnerable that it can be easily emasculated by a football game. It's as easy as counting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5...
Tony
Roar Guru
Deflecting, by criticising another sport, doesn't change the irrefutable fact that the institutionalised diving in soccer has made it an embarrassment to all but the feeble, slavish fan. If a player dived when I played the game they would have been laughed off the field.