Socceroos bested by Mexico in World Cup warm-up
Anna Harrington |
The Socceroos have suffered a fiery 1-0 loss to co-hosts Mexico in the last game before coach Tony Popovic picks his squad for the World Cup.
Australia were completely dominated by the world No.15 side in the opening half in front of a raucous, parochial crowd of 78,479 fans at the Rose Bowl stadium, before responding after halftime, albeit without reward.
Johan Vasquez’s header in the 28th minute proved the difference but Mohamed Toure should have equalised on the stroke of half-time.
Australia improved after the break, but the game erupted into an all-in scuffle after Mexico attempted to take a free kick quickly and thought they’d scored in the 76th minute – but it was called back.
A day before picking his squad on June 1, Popovic named a largely experienced line-up, including Mathew Leckie and Harry Souttar’s first starts since late 2024.
Fresh off defecting from Italy, Cristian Volpato unsurprisingly didn’t make the squad, having only arrived in camp on Saturday morning, while Nestory Irankunda made a late cameo.
Back-up goalkeeper Joe Gauci, attacker Brandon Borrello, uncapped striker Tete Yengi didn’t make the 15-man bench.
Leckie started as an inverted right winger in his first game since November 2024, just his third appearance since the 2022 World Cup.
Souttar was in the starting back three in his first appearance since December 2024, alongside 18-year-old Lucas Herrington – who appears destined for his first World Cup – and Alessandro Circati.
Herrington, Souttar, Jordy Bos and Toure in flashes were among the bright sparks.
Souttar blocked a Vasquez shot inside the opening minute and it proved ominous as Mexico dominated the half.
In the seventh minute, Toure was incensed when he was brought down by Edson Alvarez but his pleas for a foul and card were ignored.
Jackson Irvine shot wide in the 15th minute and Mat Ryan brilliantly denied Alexis Vega in the 25th minute.
Mexico scored when Vega whipped in a corner and Vasquez ghosted in behind Aiden O’Neill, jumped and turned a bullet header on to the post that beat Ryan.
Toure should have scored in stoppage time when he pounced on a poor defensive header from Mateo Chavez Garcia and chipped wide of the open goal mouth.
The stadium was in raptures when legendary goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, headed to his fifth World Cup, entered the fray at halftime and three minutes later batted away O’Neill’s fierce long-range strike.
Australia played with noticeably more intensity after halftime, with Popovic heavily rotating as the half went on.
The non-goal and subsequent scuffle proved the half’s biggest events and Mexico resisted a late Socceroos flurry.
Australia head to their Bay Area base on Sunday (Monday AEST) before the squad is announced, then have another friendly against Switzerland in San Diego on June 6.
AAP