World Cup 2022: Socceroos beaten by Argentina, Mat Ryan savaged by teammate
Australia’s captain and goalkeeper, Mat Ryan, was feeling bad enough after his World Cup side’s loss to Argentina – this tweet from a club teammate would have made things far worse.
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World Cup 2022 scores:
Netherlands 3-1 USA (Netherlands into quarterfinals)
It was the moment Mat Ryan will never forget, the whole of Argentina celebrated and that revealed the true colours of his so-called club teammate.
Ryan’s mistake in the 57th minute gave Argentina a 2-0 lead. Julian Alvarez pounced on an errant touch from the Socceroos captain as he was looking to avoid pumping the ball long from the danger area.
“It hurts a lot,” Ryan said. “It’s hard, it’s tough. You feel an array of negative emotions. You’ve just got to keep bouncing back. That’s life’s way of throwing your
harshest lessons.”
Ryan revealed it was a clear tactic from the Socceroos coaching staff to not just belt the ball downfield against the Argentines, knowing that ageing king Lionel Messi wouldn’t press the Australian backline.
The tactic worked well in the first half, but the South Americans clearly made an adjustment at halftime, with Alvarez leading a much more aggressive approach.
“The instructions in the lead up were for the boys at the back to have composure and play,” Ryan said. “Come the second half, not that I didn’t expect it, [Argentina] came on
stronger.
“Took a touch, two of them were on me straight away, and tried to adjust as quickly as I could. I copped a little bump, maybe I could have tried to milk a foul there in hindsight. Or put my foot through it.
“[The] modern way, playing out from the back, try to find the balance with that.”
Ryan was all class in fronting up and discussing his disappointing moment.
Must have been politics, for sureðŸ˜
— Kamil Grabara (@Kamil_Grabara1) December 3, 2022
The same could not be said of his club teammate at FC Copenhagen, Kamil Grabara. As soon as Ryan committed the error, Grabara tweeted: “Must have been politics, for sure”.
The tweet is in reference to reports Copenhagen gave Grabara back his starting spot, relegating Ryan to the bench, after overcoming an injury because the Pole is a preferred option due to his transfer worth being greater than the Australian.
Grabara believes he is one of the world’s best keepers, and thinks he got back his spot because he is better than Ryan.
The petty tweet filtered through to Ryan post-game.
“Not surprised, really. His opinion doesn’t really concern me,” Ryan said, albeit with a look of thunder across his face.
The response from the Socceroos towards Ryan was in stark contrast to that of Grabara.
“They were consoling me on the pitch, reminding me of what I’ve done through the campaign,” the Socceroos captain said. “[We have] got a support network in there, got each
other’s backs.”
The mistake didn’t prompt Ryan to crumble over the last 40 minutes of the dramatic Round of 16 encounter against Argentina. Late on, he made a huge save to help keep a 2-2
draw a possibility.
“Anytime something like that happens it’s always about the response straight away,” Ryan said. “Arnie made that clear to me in my first ever game, it’s how you respond after
that.”
“I won’t let it get the better of me or define me, and will come back stronger for it.”
Ryan will return to Australia for a mid-season break from the Danish season and it is expected he will seek a move away from the club in order for more first team opportunities.
That is probably best for him, and Grabara.
Before tonight’s mishap, Ryan was almost flawless throughout the group stages, commanding his area to withstand late onslaughts from both Tunisia and Denmark.
He wants to remain a key part of the team and predicts a bright future for the Socceroos.
“The tournament has come to an end but there’s a huge part of us that’s extremely proud of what we’ve done,” Ryan said. “Come here and create history for ourselves. It sets us up for a bright future ahead. “Lots of positive moments, lots of hardship and tough moments.
“[After] France we took on board and learned from it. That’s exactly what I’ll do with my moment in the second half.”
WHO STARRED WHO FLOPPED? PLAYER RATINGS
AUSSIE AGONY: WORLD CUP DREAM SHATTERED AT THE DEATH
An unbelievable save in the dying seconds denied Australia the chance to take Argentina into extra time in an incredible match that will live long in the memories of all fans.
Seconds from the final whistle Garang Kuol saw his strike come off the left arm of Emiliano Martínez in what proved to be Australia’s last chance of taking the match into extra-time.
The Socceroos can and must hold their heads high after pushing one of the best sides in the world all the way in a 2-1 defeat.
Craig Goodwin got his second of the tournament thanks to a very kind deflection in the second half to give his side hope but ultimately the strength of the Argentina defence held on to secure a quarter-final berth against the Netherlands.
Lionel Messi scored his first ever World Cup knockout stage goal on his 1000th game to surpass Diego Maradona in the all-time scoring list for his country.
The limbs that would've been if this went in... 😢 pic.twitter.com/X5bYa91Zfj
— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) December 3, 2022
That gave Argentina the early lead but a keeping howler from Mat Ryan handed the South American side their second.
After the match, an emotional Jackson Irvine couldn’t hold back the tears when speaking of the pride he had in his teammates.
“It’s difficult to comprehend everything at the moment,” he said. “It’s all quite raw. But yeah, I hope we made everyone proud.
“We gave it everything. Just like we have every minute of this competition. So proud of all the players and the staff. Yeah, just not enough on the day.
“I think we did everything we could. We stood up to be compact and disciplined in our shape. We were excellent defensively we gave up very little until obviously the end. You have to have a go with the last 15 minutes.
“I think we did everything we could to give ourselves a chance in the game. When Argentina are celebrating like this, victory against Australia, I think it shows what kind of opposition we gave them today.”
Graham Arnold shared in his player’s pride.
“I have to be very proud of the players,” he said. “You know, we played against the number three in the world. And the first goal was just from Messi was a quality goal. The mistake cost us.
“I just hope that everyone back in Australia really respects what we’ve done and are proud of us as well. We took it to them.
“I felt that we finished off well. We had a great chance at the end there to equalise. I’ve got to be very, very proud of the boys. Just so grateful at the effort they’ve put in for me.”
Harry Souttar said the team was shattered by the result.
“Don’t think I can say it on TV to be honest with you,” he said when asked dhow he was feeling.
“Am really gutted for the lads. I think you seen how much it means to us.
“How much effort we put in. Yeah, we took it right to the end. What can I say, they’re a world class team. Simple as that.
“They’ve got world class players that can turn it on an instant, like you seen with the first goal. We’re gutted. We’re so disappointed. But I think we can be proud of ourselves and the journey that we’ve had.”
MESSI MAGIC
Now 35, one of the best players of all time is seeking to win the tournament for the first time in what will surely be his final World Cup.
Messi’s classy first-half goal, bending the ball into the bottom corner, broke the resistance and ultimately the hearts of a gutsy Australian side who defied all expectations in Qatar and went down fighting.
“He was the difference,” Craig Foster said of Messi’s impact.
“One of the greatest players in the history of the game.”
Foster also had a message for every member of the Socceroos team.
“To everyone there, this has been an outstanding tournament. There’s so much for us to learn from this.
“For the moment, the greatest compliments possible to everyone on that bench, everyone on the field, this entire group, what you have done, you have pushed the potential world champions here and twice former champions, in one of the greatest players in the world, you have pushed them to the limit.”
Thank you to everyone for backing us at home in Australia, here in Qatar and around the world!
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) December 3, 2022
Your incredible support made this tournament one we will never forget. 🫶 🙌 ðŸ‘#GiveIt100#Socceroos#FIFAWorldCuppic.twitter.com/QCRyKlxKnd
TRUE UNDERDOGS
Australia’s yellow-shirted fans were vastly outnumbered among the packed crowd at the 45,000-capacity Ahmad bin Ali Stadium and were drowned out by Argentina’s boisterous, bellowing and bouncing supporters.
Back in Australia, where fans had a sunrise start if they wanted to catch the game live on television, the Sydney Opera House was lit up in green and gold.
Their side were huge underdogs — few at home had expected them to get even this far at the tournament — but this has been a World Cup of shocks.
Two-time champions Argentina were the victim of arguably the biggest shock in Qatar when they went down 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in their opening match.
But there would be no repeat here.
Graham Arnold’s Socceroos set out to unsettle their opponents. Keanu Baccus left one on Messi and Jackson Irvine was booked for crunching into left-back Marcos Acuna.
Argentina had Australia pinned back but the Socceroos were resolute and growing in confidence as an uninspiring first half wore on.
Messi was getting frustrated, tussling with Australian defender Aziz Behich on the sidelines.
Argentina and their coach Lionel Scaloni badly needed something special and in Messi they got it 10 minutes from the break.
Alexis Mac Allister fed defender Nicolas Otamendi, who was still in the box for an Argentina free-kick, and he miscontrolled it into the path of Messi who bent the ball left-footed along the ground into the corner.
It was Argentina’s first shot on target.
– RYAN BLUNDERS –
Australia had only got this far once before, in 2006, and they needed to come out and attack in the second half.
Instead, they selfdestructed. Goalkeeper and captain Mathew Ryan tried to play out under fierce pressure in his box from hard-running Rodrigo De Paul just before the hour and was dispossessed by Alvarez.
The Manchester City striker, 22, nipped in, stole the ball from Ryan and swivelled to slot into an empty net for his second goal in as many games. Arnold thumped his dugout in frustration.
The Socceroos looked dead and buried but substitute Goodwin latched onto a loose clearance and his shot hit Fernandez and ricocheted in with 13 minutes left.
Behich then went on a superb mazy run from left-back, beating three Argentina players before Lisandro Martinez made a vital last-ditch challenge.
Teenager Garang Kuol then forced Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez into a desperate save deep in injury time before the massed ranks of South American fans celebrated a big win.
96 MINS I THOUGHT IT WAS IN
Argentina’s Goalkeeper finally does something besides rolling around on the floor “in pain”
Australia denied at the death.
And there’s the whistle. AUSTRALIA OUT OF THE WORLD CUP
92 MINS MAT RYAN SAVE
Thumped off him. He stood tall and Argentina should be 4-1 by now.
And it’s followed by another Messi masterclass which flew north of the top left corner. Inches away
And it could have been 5-1 by now, Ryan redeeming the early howler, he’s just been tested about 4 times in 45 seconds.
Like watching human pinball.
90 MINS MORE TO COME
We have seven minutes of additional time – football gods are shining on Australia and Argentina have just missed an absolute SITTER.
Could it be?
80 MINS AUSSIES COME CLOSE AGAIN
Agonisingly close in fact that run from Behich was sublime – Messi-esque. Now if only he’d egged up some play acting we could have been level.
Denied close to the line in one of the most important tackles that Martinez has ever made in his career.
GOAL!!!STOP IT CRAIG GOODWIN!!!
I mean, all credit to the head it deflected off really but Australia have a goal! It is not over yet!
Poorly cleared by Argentina and the Aussies capitalise. Who cares how things are scored it’s a goal!
71 MINS FINALLY SOME CHANGES
Triple change for Australia
Duke, Degenek and Leckie are OFF
Kuol, Maclaren and Karacic are ON
64 MINS MESSI IS NOT HUMAN
A truly sublime run from the Argentine. Ball stuck to his feet.
Weaved his way through not one, not two, not three but four Socceroos.
Touch perfect but not grand finale. Just a cheeky smirk.
GOAL! ARG 2-0 AUS
Argentina have doubled their lead and oh the despair on Mat Ryan’s face. He was robbed.
Alvarez gets the goal but a TOTAL BRAIN FADE from Ryan what was he thinking?
Ball came back to him from his defenders and he put way too much on his first touch gifting the shot to Alvarez.
55 MINS MAKE THE CHANGES ARNIE
Australia can’t even keep a hold of the ball right now, fresh legs needed, Arnie needs to make the move.
Bring on Jamie Maclaren And Craig Goodwin
49 MINS PARK THE BUS
Argentina have made a change just four minutes into the second-half and it looks like they are playing a back five.
So there’s their game plan for this half eh.
And Mat Ryan called on for a save but a kind deflection simplified that no end. Aussies can’t afford to get caught off guard like that, Messi almost had his second.
WHAT SHOULD AUSTRALIA DO?
More of the same according to Mark Bosnich:
“So as far as I’m concerned they need to do what they did in the first 45.
“They were exceptional. Graham Arnold’s plan is absolutely spot on. You saw the (Argentina) trust straying, Gomez, the — frustration, Gomez was frustrated and switched him to the right. “Remember against Poland, Argentina they came back and hit two quick goals. Another quick goal now would kill it off. Get to the 70th minute put on your weapons and go for it.”
HALF-TIME
Sure it’s not the scoreline any Aussie wants to see but let’s be honest, how many of us thought it was going to be MUCH worse than this? A terrific defensive display from Australia, they have plenty to be proud of from that opening 45, the attacking line less so.
Souttar has been a giant, Mat Ryan hasn’t made a single save (picked the ball out the net once but ....) and, for the majority of the time, Messi has been silenced.
GOAL! ARG 1-0 AUS
Told you I would regret saying anything about Lionel Messi. The GOAT has silenced the Aussie crowd and made me look a fool.
Argentina gifted a free-kick on the right side of goal and while it wasn’t the first attempt the reformation of the Argentina attack built that up sublimely.
Historic goal for Messi, No 34 and he moves ahead of Maradona in the all-time scorers for his country.
32MINS: SMART PLAY
Great work from Riley McGree, body on the line and he played for the foul – and got it.
Mooy standing up for the free but again, too much on it, wasted opportunity. Disappointing ball and they’re not going to sneak a goal with play like that.
28 AUS COME CLOSE
Australia playing their hearts out and the ball finds its way into the area and just can’t find Souttar where he needs it.
s expected, Argentina calling for a foul every time on of their men is challenged, ref having none of it, real Pierluigi Collina areas this guy. Love it.
25 MINS MESSI MARKING
Big note that Messi is not being man marked tonight and he’s still not having a massive impact on the match.
21 MINS POSSESSION
A good spell for the Socceroos, a decent run into the area and they continue to frustrate Argentina.
Just 19% of the possession of this half has been for the Aussies – but hey, just ask Japan what stats like that mean.
stralia get their first corner 23 minutes in, it’s all good signs, it’s all pressure but the finishes are ultimately poor. Curving balls going way too long.
16 MINS: AUS BLOW
Not looking too far ahead of myself but a cheap, cheap yellow card from Jackson Irvine there and IF Australia comes through this match, he will miss the quarter-final against Holland.
A ridiculous tackle to make.
10 MINS MISSING MESSI MAGIC
Internationals are just not where he shows off the GOAT thing eh? Watch how long it takes for me to regret typing that.
It’s not a criticism, it’s indicative and symptomatic of the group he’s playing with.
How often to international sides really train?
Anywho, the GOAT is playing his 1000th professional match which is nothing short of insane in itself.
On the field, Australia doing exceptionally well to frustrate the Argentines. Not an enormous amount of possession going in Australia’s favour but they’re doing well to irk their opponents.
Shutting them down early enough that we’re not all enduring heart palpitations. Solid start.
4 MINS: WE ARE UNDERWAY
Two minutes in and we have hand ball appeals going against Argentina...as an English woman that still stings, every time it happens.
Argentina’s penalty appeals fall on deaf ears and rightly so.
My sincere sympathies with the referee he’s copping it from the crowd already, a long, long 88 minutes ahead of him.
But a solid start from Australia, to state the obvious they’re going to be tested beyond belief in this match. Not just from a fitness perspective but in terms of how they deal with the theatrics of the South American opponents.
You’re about to see some brilliant acting.
5:32AM CHAOS AT LIVE SITES
It’s pandemonium at the live sites around Australia this morning with capacities reached and flares set off hours before kick-off.
Fed Square in Melbourne was closed to the public by 4am AEDT with fans turned towards AAMI Park instead.
Sydney, Adelaide and Hobart also saw huge crowds come together for this massive match.
Now, not to celebrate an injury but, Australia has received an enormous boost with Argentinian star Angel di Maria failing to overcome a thigh issue for this round 16 clash, as Socceroos coach Graham Arnold made just one change.
Putting his faith in the squad which has taken Australia to victories over Tunisia and Denmark, Arnold has injected youngster Keanu Baccus into the starting line-up in place of winger Craig Goodwin.
Kicking off at Fed Square. Walking in I saw a jumpsuit filming the crowd. Boring. #ARGAUSpic.twitter.com/USmn7e2Jea
— Les Street (@official_lesdog) December 3, 2022
It replicates the change Arnold made at halftime in the Denmark win, with Goodwin running on empty after two starring performances in Australia’s opening two group games.
But the likes of Mat Leckie, Australia’s centre-back pairing of Kye Rowles and Harry Souttar, and midfield duo Aaron Mooy and Jackson Irvine have all been called on to empty the tank once again.
Riley McGree, who had a career-best performance against Denmark, has retained his central midfield role ahead of Ajdin Hrustic.
Meanwhile, Argentina have named Di Maria on the bench after he suffered a thigh injury in their win over Poland with the short turnaround played a part
5:25AM LIVE SITES
Things look totally normal at Fed Square this morning. Where on earth do people buy flares last minute?
Over an hour til kickoff and I’m delighted to report that fed square is already having an absolutely normal one #AUSARG#FIFAWorldCuppic.twitter.com/WEEbygixu9
— Lachie Flannigan (@lachieflannigan) December 3, 2022
Live at Fed Square in Melbourne with 45 minutes to go
— James Williams | CripsyTV 🇦🇺 (@CripsyyAU) December 3, 2022
If we score first...
CMON AUSTRALIA! pic.twitter.com/IuaylaZdjK
5AM TEAMS ARE IN
Argentina (4-3-3) Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Acuna; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister; Alejandro Gomez, Lionel Messi (capt), Julian Alvarez Coach: Lionel Scaloni (ARG)
Australia (4-4-2) Mathew Ryan (capt); Milos Degenek, Kye Rowles, Harry Souttar, Aziz Behich; Mathew Leckie, Aaron Mooy, Jackson Irvine, Keanu Baccus; Riley McGree, Mitchell Duke Coach: Graham Arnold (AUS)
4:30AM HOLLAND AWAITS
A clinical Netherlands ended the United States’ World Cup dream, sweeping into the quarter-finals with a ruthless 3-1 victory.
First-half goals from Memphis Depay and Daley Blind and a late strike from Denzel Dumfries sealed a deserved victory as the Dutch handed out a painful lesson in finishing to their American opponents.
The Netherlands, bidding to win their first World Cup after losing in three previous finals, will face Argentina or Australia in the last eight.
4AM DARE TO DREAM
The Socceroos are claiming the moniker of the ‘invincible underdogs’ – a nickname that will be tested like never before against two-time World Champions Argentina on Sunday morning at 6am AEDT.
Data revealed by online transfer analysts TransferRoom this week exposed the truly gigantic gulf between the Round of 16 opponents, at least when it comes to their respective squad worth with Argentina valued at almost 18 times more than the Socceroos.
Using the site’s Expected Transfer Value tool, which it claims is “the most credible, data-led measure of a player’s value in the market”, the enormity of the task facing Graham Arnold and his players is truly staggering.
.@MatyRyan and Mathew Leckie are set to make HISTORY. 🙌🇦🇺
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) December 3, 2022
When both take to the pitch today, they will overtake @Tim_Cahill and Mark Bresciano to become Australia's highest #FIFAWorldCup appearance-makers of all time, with 10 each.
#GiveIt100#Socceroospic.twitter.com/mzlSKQrETt
With a frontline led by unheralded strikers Mitchell Duke ($330,000 transfer value) and Melbourne City’s Mathew Leckie ($1.1m) Australia’s total value for its 26-man squad comes up to a mere $55.81m.
When stacked up against the $996.84m Argentinian squad, it makes for terrifying reading if you’re a Socceroos fan. But that’s exactly how Arnold wants it to be.
“We’ve been named the invincible underdogs around the world. Everyone is an underdog until you have success, nearly everyone in the world at some stage in their life has been an underdog,” Arnold said.
“It’s until you have success that you’re seen as a success. Again, Australia’s the underdogs. We love that.
“We love our backs to the wall and no one giving us a chance, going out there and fighting the Aussie spirit way. That’s our strength.”
Australia’s number is boosted significantly by the impressive efforts of centre-back Harry Souttar, who is earns a $9.3m value from TransferRoom – though it is unlikely his club side, Stoke, would let him leave for anything short of an asking price approaching $50m given his breakout tournament.
But Souttar is not the only player with a seemingly modest price tag. Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest to ever lace a boot, is priced at just $21.7m.
“The xTV tool takes into account not just performance data on the pitch and the size and level of their club, but the length of their current contract, the buying market and historical fees for the player,” said a representative for TransferRoom.
That means Messi is not one of the six Argentinian players whose value dwarfs the entire Australian squad combined.
Lautaro Martinez ($114.4m), Lisandro Martinez ($108.2m), Cristian Romero ($95.3m), Enzo Fernandez ($66.2m), Julian Alvarez ($66m) and Alexis Mac Allister ($65.1m) all have transfer values that eclipse that the Australian squad.
Stats expose monstrous task facing Socceroos
– Callum Dick
These are the giant-sized stats that expose the monstrous task facing the Socceroos when they meet the Lionel Messi-led Argentina in the round of 16.
Not only has Messi created as many goal scoring opportunities as the entire Australian team combined so far this World Cup, the numbers illustrate the gulf between the two nations across almost every statistical category.
To the surprise of absolutely nobody, Messi profiles as the Socceroos’ biggest hurdle between a shock quarter-final berth and a round of 16 exit.
In what is expected to be the Little Master’s final World Cup he leads Argentina in almost every major attacking statistical category.
If the World Cup ended tomorrow he would trail perhaps only French wunderkind Kylian Mbappe for player of the tournament, but La Albiceleste’s great hope is far from done just yet.
The stats paint a bleak picture for the Socceroos’ hopes of springing another upset, though in a World Cup full of surprises – that began with Saudi Arabia toppling Argentina 2-1 – stranger things have happened.
But the tape cannot be ignored. Graham Arnold and his coaching staff will be working tirelessly between now and kick-off to construct a game plan capable of making the impossible a reality, again. And the winning formula could well be found on the stats sheet.
EXPECTED LINE-UPS
AUSTRALIA (4-3-2-1)
– – – – – – – – – – – – Ryan – – – – – – – – – – –
Degenek – – Souttar – – Rowles – – Behich
– – – – – Mooy – – Baccus – – Irvine – – – – –
– – – – – – – – Leckie – – McGree – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – Duke – – – – – – – – – – –
ARGENTINA (4-3-3)
– – – – – – – – – – Martinez – – – – – – – – – – –
Molina – – Romero – – Otamendi – – Acuna
– – De Paul – – Fernandez – – MacAllister – –
– – – Di Maria – – Messi – – Alvarez – – – – –
KEY STATS
Goals: 5-3 (Argentina)
Conceded: 4-2 (Australia)
Cleansheets: 2-2
Attempts: 44-20 (Argentina)
Attempts on-target: 21-7 (Argentina)
Corners: 22-5 (Argentina)
Fouls against: 37-33 (Australia)
Forced turnovers: 234-176 (Australia)
Possession: 66.7% – 37.0% (Argentina)
FRONT THIRD
AUSTRALIA
Leckie – – McGree
Duke
ARGENTINA
Di Maria – – Messi – – Alvarez
Touches in front third: 615-294 (Argentina)
The front three of Argentina, featuring Messi, veteran playmaker Angel Di Maria and Manchester City rising star Julian Alvarez, could be the most potent in Qatar.
Argentina has conjured a tournament-high 17 shots on-target and is behind only reigning world champions France for expected goals (xG) through pool play.
The Socceroos conversely boast seven shots on-target – the fewest of any Round of 16 entrant – but have outperformed their xG by more than two. It’s all about making the most of your chances, and the Socceroos may have to ride their luck once again.
No team has spent more time in its attacking third than La Albiceleste, meaning the Socceroos’ backline must prepare for an offensive onslaught on Sunday.
Argentina’s forwards have combined for 24 shots to Australia’s 12. The gulf only widens when we take into account chances created: 12-6 in favour of the two-time world champions.
Mitch Duke has done an exceptional job leading the line for Australia but when compared to perhaps the greatest player of all time, it’s no contest.
Messi has taken more shots and created as many assists as the entire Socceroos team combined.
SHOTS (GOALS)
Lionel Messi (ARG) 13 (1)
Julian Alvarez (ARG) 7 (1)
Mitchell Duke (AUS) 7 (1)
Angel Di Maria (ARG) 4 (0)
Riley McGree (AUS) 3 (0)
Mathew Leckie (AUS) 1 (1)
CHANCES CREATED (ASSISTS)
Lionel Messi (ARG) 6 (0)
Angel Di Maria (ARG) 6 (1)
Riley McGree (AUS) 3 (1)
Mathew Leckie (AUS) 2 (1)
Mitch Duke (AUS) 1 (0)
Julian Alvarez (ARG) 0 (0)
MIDFIELD
AUSTRALIA
Mooy – – Baccus – – Irvine
ARGENTINA
De Paul – – Fernandez – – MacAllister
Touches in midfield: 1266-695 (Argentina)
Aaron Mooy is the workmanlike energiser bunny who makes it all happen in the centre of the pitch for the Socceroos and the stats back that up. He’s run 4km further than any other player who will take the pitch on Sunday, averaging 12.1km per game in the group stages.
However Rodrigo De Paul has been the pick of the midfield starters and looms as the pivot the Socceroos must smother if they are to make headway against one of the World Cup favourites.
Once again Argentina leads the way for touches in midfield, while Australia ranks 17th in the same metric.
De Paul is Argentina’s midfield playmaker and the one offering the most supply to their dynamic front three. No player has had the ball at his feet more this tournament than the Atletico Madrid man.
COMPLETED PASSES (PASS%):
Rodrigo De Paul (ARG) 260 (85.2%)
Enzo Fernandez (ARG) 140 (87.5%)
Aaron Mooy (AUS) 115 (73.7%)
Alexis Mac Allister (ARG) 84 (92.3%)
Jackson Irvine (AUS) 75 (82.4%)
Keanu Baccus (AUS) 16 (64.0%)
TACKLES WON:
Aaron Mooy (AUS) 5
Rodrigo De Paul (ARG) 3
Enzo Fernandez (ARG) 2
Jackson Irvine (AUS) 2
Alexis Mac Allister (ARG) 2
Keanu Baccus (AUS) 0
DEFENSIVE THIRD
AUSTRALIA
– – – – – – – – – – – – Ryan – – – – – – – – – – –
Degenek – – Souttar – – Rowles – – Behich
ARGENTINA
– – – – – – – – – – Martinez – – – – – – – – – – –
Molina – – Romero – – Otamendi – – Acuna
Touches in defensive third: 604-552 (Australia)
Of the teams already through to the Round of 16, the Socceroos have conceded the most goals. However since the 4-1 loss to France, they have been near-perfect at the back.
The win over Tunisia produced Australia’s first World Cup clean sheet since 1976 and what followed six days later was a record-breaking second in a row, against Euro semi-finalists Denmark no less.
The Socceroos have blocked the most shots on goal (18) of any team in Qatar and it’s two men in particular, Harry Souttar and Kye Rowles, who have led the way.
Souttar has deservedly earned the plaudits for his mammoth performances but Rowles has been equally as good, if not better, than his centre-half partner according to the stats.
Regardless, they profile as the best defensive pairing at the tournament over the past two games – and they’ll need to be at their brilliant best against Messi and co.
Between the posts, Mat Ryan has faced 13 shots on target and saved nine of those, while Emiliano Martinez has been tested just three times and let two in the back of the net.
It’s a small sample size, however Argentina’s ‘keeper boasts the second-worst save percentage in the tournament. If Australia can manufacture chances, there could be goals on offer.
BLOCKS (SHOTS)
Kye Rowles (AUS) 8 (6)
Harry Souttar (AUS) 7 (4)
Aziz Behich (AUS) 5 (2)
Nahuel Molina (ARG) 4 (1)
Marcos Acuna (ARG) 4 (1)
Milos Degenek (AUS) 2 (1)
Nicolas Otamendi (ARG) 1 (0)
Christian Romero (ARG) 1 (1)
TACKLES:
Kye Rowles (AUS) 7
Aziz Behich (AUS) 7
Nicolas Otamendi (ARG) 6
Milos Degenek (AUS) 5
Marcos Acuna (ARG) 4
Nahuel Molina (ARG) 3
Harry Souttar (AUS) 2
Christian Romero (ARG) 1
INTERCEPTS:
Kye Rowles (AUS) 6
Nicolas Otamendi (ARG) 5
Harry Souttar (AUS) 3
Aziz Behich (AUS) 2
Milos Degenek (AUS) 1
Marcos Acuna (ARG) 1
Nahuel Molina (ARG) 1
Christian Romero (ARG) 0
SAVES (SAVE%):
Mat Ryan (AUS) 9 (69.2%)
Emiliano Martinez (ARG) 1 (33.3%)
Originally published as World Cup 2022: Socceroos beaten by Argentina, Mat Ryan savaged by teammate
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