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ince the conclusion of the World Cup in Qatar, Australia have faced Ecuador twice, newly-crowned world champions Argentina, Mexico, and now England, who defeated Graham Arnold’s side 1-0 at Wembley on Friday evening. Over these fixtures, they have won once – 3-1 over Ecuador in the first game of this run – drawn once, and lost three times. They have scored six goals and conceded eight. The three latest games have all taken place away from home.
None of these contests will go down in the annals of footballing history. In contrast to the 3-1 triumph the Socceroos secured over England 20 years ago, their latest meeting, aside from its notability as the first time an Australian senior side played at Wembley, will perhaps be remembered in years to come as having simply happened. Or, at a pinch, as the debut of Levi Colwill, Eddie Nketiah, Lewis Miller or Mohamed Toure.
Importantly, though, in none of this quintet of games have the Socceroos been embarrassed. Ever since their 4-1 shellacking at the hands of France in the opening game of the World Cup – a contest that Arnold retrospectively insisted represented a “friendly” and learning experience – they’ve shaped as a collective that works hard for each other, perform doggedly in the face of superior opposition and make the oppposition earn everything. Against Mexico and now England, they could have had more.
They were helped in this endeavour in London by the general flow of the contest being well-suited to their strengths. Fielding an experimental side ahead of a European qualifier against Italy on Tuesday, the hosts had handy control of possession for much of the game but, for the most part, were turgid and uninspired in possession. Against this, Arnold’s team were able to defend as a unit, with little-used Leicester City defender Harry Souttar anchoring their efforts with a strong performance at centre-back, and looked to spring on the counter or grab a goal from a set piece.
Especially in the first half, where England’s plodding inertia in possession was at its worst, they certainly had their chances. Keanu Baccus, Mitch Duke, and Kye Rowles all had decent chances and Ryan Strain the best of the opening 45 minutes when he had an effort cleared off the line. England themselves had their opportunities and both James Maddison and Ollie Watkins spurned golden moments to shift the game’s tone but there was never a sense that Australia were holding on for dear life. Jordan Henderson was booed off when he was withdrawn in the 62nd minute.
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