One of the underdog stories of this thrilling 2022 World Cup, Australia’s fairytale run in Qatar was eventually ended by Argentina in the round of 16 — losing 2-1 to a Lionel Messi-inspired side in what was the final game of the tournament to be held at the 45,00-seater Al Rayyan Stadium.
While it wasn’t to be another fairy-tale at the expense of Lionel Scaloni’s men, as La Albiceleste infamously lost their opening game of the World Cup 2-1 to minnows Saudi Arabia, the Socceroos can head back Down Under with their heads held high after some fantastic displays of grit and determination.
Expected to finish bottom of Group D by many assessing the World Cup betting at Skybet.com, Australia made everyone sit up and take notice when Craig Goodwin fired them ahead in the opening 10 minutes against France. The world champions did survive that scare, of course, coming back to win 4-1.
Many thought that would be the only noise from the Australia squad at this World Cup, but they continued to prove everybody wrong — beating Tunisia 1-0 thanks to well-taken Mitchell Duke header to set up a must-win clash with Denmark in the final game of the group stages.
The Danes were predicted to be dark horses in the Middle East by pundits and punters alike, but the world No.10 side were hugely disappointing and Australia took full advantage of their inability to turn possession into goals — this time Matthew Leckie capitalising on the counter to give the Socceroos one of their most memorable victories in World Cup history.
In the last 16 for just the second time in their history, the stage was set against Argentina. It was always going to be a difficult task against La Albiceleste, and while they managed to keep Messi at bay for the best part of the first half hour — the little magician managed to pull another rabbit out of the hat with 10 minutes to go to half-time, sending a low, curling effort past Mat Ryan.
The former Brighton and Arsenal keeper made a monumental mistake for Argentina’s second, taking too heavy a touch when under pressure in the box and Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez capitalised — getting on the loose ball to score his second goal of the tournament.
Australia looked down and out, until a speculative effort deflected off the promising Enzo Fernandez and past Emi Martinez into the back of the goal. The Socceroos had a couple of chances to get the equaliser late on, but the Aston Villa shot stopper made a massive save to deny them any hope of sending the game to extra-time.
The players appeared crest-fallen upon the final whistle, with the chance for many of them to get pictures with Messi in the tunnel afterwards a mere consolation for their efforts. But every single one of them has written their name in the history books and they united their country like never before, which manager Graham Arnold was quick to mention.
“I truly believe that the Socceroos are the team that unites the country,” Arnold claimed following the Denmark victory. “If the cricket team get to the final of the World Cup you don’t get scenes like tonight. You don’t see the squares like they are tonight, and not with the rugby union or rugby league either.”