Garang Kuol’s heartbreaking last-minute shot on goal denied

Australian teen sensation Garang Kuol had a golden opportunity in the dying stages, but it’s left fans wondering what could have been.

Australia had only itself to blame against Argentina. Pictures: AFP

The Socceroos are out of the World Cup after a 2-1 defeat against Argentina on Sunday morning — and despite a brave effort we only have ourselves to blame.

Lionel Messi’s men will march on to a quarterfinal against the Netherlands after the Dutch easily dispatched of the USA in the early game.

A pair of costly errors from defender Aziz Behich and goalkeeper Mat Ryan were the decisive moments that put Graham Arnold’s underdogs behind by two goals.

Craig Goodwin gave Australia life with a deflected goal in the 76th minute — but late chances to Behich and Garang Kuol were denied by life-or-death defending by Argentina.

Kuol had a golden opportunity in the final minute of the contest after receiving the ball all alone at the back of the box.

A quick turn and shot on goal was denied by Argentinian keeper Emiliano Martínez who was mobbed by his teammates after his heroic efforts.

The missed opportunity will leave Australian football fans wondering what could have been for a very long time.

Watch the excruciating missed opportunities from the Socceroos in the video player above.

I'm gonna thinking about that Garang Kuol chance forever......#FIFAWorldCup

— JAKE BUCKLEY 🇦🇺 (@TheMasterBucks) December 3, 2022

And as close as those opportunities were, Argentina had their own at the other end too in a match they finished with 61 per cent of possession.

The frustrating result ends a thrilling tournament for a Socceroos side that was expected to be roadkill in Qatar.

Arnold’s side created history by winning two games — against Tunisia and Denmark — but will head home feeling it could have gone even further.

“The first goal from Messi was just a quality goal,” Arnold said. “But the mistake (on the second) cost us.”

Despite the gallant effort from his troops, Arnold said he felt like the Socceroos hadn’t achieved what they’d hoped.

“It’s the way I am. Even though we’ve succeeded and been successful, I feel like we’ve failed,” he said.

“I just wanted to win so badly for the nation and the fans. Making the last 16 for me wasn’t enough.

“That’s just me. I know a lot of other people might be happy with it but that’s just the way I am.

“But I’m pretty sure, and I really hope, that Australia is proud of them tonight. They did a fantastic job.”

Aziz Behich was shattered after the final whistle. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Australia made a relatively stress-free start to the match, staying compact in defence and allowing Argentina few forward forays in the first 30 minutes.

Keanu Baccus made his presence felt instantly in his first international start by felling Messi with a strong tackle.

Keanu Baccus just shirtfronted Lionel Messi. Yep. #ARGAUS

— Joey Lynch (@joeylynchy) December 3, 2022

makes you proud to be australian #ARGAUSpic.twitter.com/WmcDR51pNr

— Evan Morgan Grahame (@Evan_M_G) December 3, 2022

But it wasn’t all just chasing and tackling for the Socceroos as they began to spend more time in the Argentine half. Still, after half an hour neither side had a shot on target.

That quickly changed in the 35th minute when Behich lost his cool.

The Socceroos defender got tangled up with Messi as the ball went out of play and expressed his frustration at the football legend.

Behich then pushed over Argentina’s Papu Gomez on the ensuing play, giving away an unnecessary foul when Argentina had good field position.

After taking the free kick and seeing it repelled by Harry Souttar, Messi regained possession and slotted his 94th international goal to give Argentina a 1-0 lead.

Former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich said Behich’s foul was extremely costly.

Aziz Behich had a moment to forget. Picture: AFP

“These are big games against big players,” Bosnich said on SBS.

“And in big games, big games for big boys, big boys rules.

“He winds him up here and Behich loses it a bit.

“You just have to forget about it, because that then causes Behich to make a foul straight after on Gomez.

“When it gets to this stage, Argentina are getting frustrated, but Messi winds him up.

“Then this foul. That was one of the best positions Argentina was in throughout the half. Doing a foul there is nearly sometimes, can be suicidal. Here you go, ball comes in, dangerous position. And then Messi does what he does.”

Dumb foul from Behich and we get punished! #ARGAUS

— Robbie Slater (@RobbieSlater17) December 3, 2022

Silly free kick to give away in the lead up to that goal from Aziz Behich. Got shown up by Messi and then gave away a frustrated foul #ARGAUS#Socceroos

— Paul Johnson (@pjohnson_sports) December 3, 2022

Made him angry. Boom. 1-0. First World Cup goal in knockout stage for #Messi in his last World Cup. Game not over yet though. #ARGAUS

— Sreemoy Talukdar (@sreemoytalukdar) December 3, 2022

But a bigger blooper was in store.

Argentina doubled its lead early in the 57th minute after an “absolute brain fade” by Socceroos keeper Mat Ryan.

Ryan was caught with the ball and turned it over in the box, allowing Julian Alvarez an easy finish.

“He’ll want the turf to open up and swallow him,” SBS commentator David Basheer said about Ryan. “Rock solid before that absolute brain fade.”

Mat Ryan was left horribly out of position after failing to clear the ball. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

The blow forced Arnold into making some changes.

Goodwin, who lost his place in the starting 11 to Keanu Baccus, was subbed in and later in the half pounced on a ball that fell to him just outside the box.

His shot, which on replays looked like sailing wide, was charged down by Lisandro Martinez, who watched helplessly as he re-directed it into the Argentinian goal.

Five minutes later Behich almost squared it up. The defender made a dazzling run into the box and it was only some last-ditch defending that blocked his shot.

Australia had one final chance to force extra time with just seconds remaining when the ball fell fortuitously to Garang Kuol.

But his shot was expertly saved by the Argentina keeper.