Socceroos v Bangladesh: Australia cruises to victory in Melbourne in another step toward 2026 World Cup

The Socceroos have taken a small step towards a spot at the 2026 World Cup, crushing Bangladesh 7-0 in a one-sided match in Melbourne.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 16: Brandon Borrello of the Socceroos celebrates scoring a goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Australia Socceroos and Bangladesh at AAMI Park on November 16, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

The Socceroos have got their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign off to a rollicking start after a second-half hat-trick from Jamie Maclaren powered them to a 7-0 thumping of minnows Bangladesh at AAMI Park on Thursday night.

Just three minutes after the restart, Jordan Bos’ precise cross from the left allowed former Melbourne City teammate Maclaren to complete a simple tap-in from point-blank range to put Australia up 5-0.

In the 70th minute, Maclaren scored his second goal in classic poacher style. After Massimo Luongo’s powerful strike was saved by Marma, the ball went straight into the path of Maclaren who sent it into the back of the net from a few yards out to make it 6-0.

Nine minutes later, Maclaren was denied a hat-trick when his strike from 10 yards out slammed into debutant teammate Kusini Yengi, who couldn’t get out of the way on the goal line, much to Maclaren’s chagrin.

But Maclaren didn’t have to wait long to score his third as he angled home the Lewis Miller cross from close range with a deft touch to complete the rout.

Maclaren could have had a fourth in the second minute of stoppage time, but he failed to keep his forceful hit from close range low.

Brandon Borrello celebrates a goal. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

GAP IN CLASS PAINFULLY EVIDENT

In the FIFA world rankings, 156 spots separate Australia (27) and Bangladesh (183), and it showed in their opening Asian second-round Group I clash, which also featured a Mitch Duke brace.

Less than 12 months after making it to the knockout stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Australia emphasised the gaping gulf in class between themselves and the south Asians, who are nestled in between Bhutan and Dominica in the world rankings.

On the 18-year anniversary of the Socceroos’ famous play-off victory over Uruguay, which saw them break their 32-year World Cup drought, the hosts wasted little time opening up their account.

Mitch Duke gives a thumbs up. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images

SOUTTAR GETS BALL ROLLING

The imposing Harry Souttar rose highest in the fourth minute and headed it in easily from close range against an undersized Bangladesh defence after Craig Goodwin whipped in a beautiful free kick.

The Socceroos doubled their advantage 16 minutes later when Miller’s delightful chip over the top found Connor Metcalfe who exploded down the right and squared it to Brandon Borrello for the easy tap-in from a yard out.

In the 37th minute, Duke made it 3-0 when he flicked home a graceful looping header from six yards out up and over Bangladesh goalkeeper Mitul Marma, while sandwiched in between two opponents, after connecting with a gorgeous Metcalfe lobbed cross.

And three minutes later Duke doubled his personal tally and put Australia four goals to the good. Borrello’s thunderous long-range strike cannoned into the left post, but Duke was in the right place for the rebound to tap it in with the outside of his right foot from six yards out.

Defender Harry Souttar got on the scoresheet. Picture: William West

BIG WIN COULD’VE BEEN BIGGER

With 29 shots on goal to one, including 14 on target, Australia’s win could so easily have been bigger.

In the first half, Borrello’s header from six yards out was somehow saved by Marma and a Baccus header from very close range went just over the bar after connecting with a brilliant Goodwin corner.

A powerful Jackson Irvine attempt from 18 yards out was saved well by Marma too, and Cameron Burgess somehow failed to put it into the back of the net from close range after getting on the end of another superb Goodwin corner.

In the second half, Bos’ long-range strike was well saved, as was the Maclaren follow-up tap-in attempt, Burgess’ header from a corner went over the bar and another Bos attempt, this time with his head, went wide.

In the 90th minute Luongo’s tame penalty attempt was saved by Marma diving to his right, making it zero from four for Luongo from the spot in his career.

Originally published as Socceroos v Bangladesh: Australia cruises to victory in Melbourne in another step toward 2026 World Cup