Match Report
The Subway Socceroos have fallen 2-0 to World Champions Argentina at Beijing's Workers' Stadium in an international friendly on Thursday night.
Australia conceded inside two minutes courtesy of a Lionel Messi stunner and substitute German Pezzella's header extended the buffer midway through the second half.
It was an entertaining contest but Argentina demonstrated why they are one of the best teams on the planet and at times were unplayable.
Australia did provide a good test and looked to attack and play forward with purpose, however were unable to manufacture ample opportunities.
Jordan Bos received his maiden Subway Socceroos start by Graham Arnold and was one of four changes from the eleven that lined up against La Albiceleste in that fateful FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Round of 16 clash.
Bos joined Nathaniel Atkinson, Jamie Maclaren and Aiden O'Neill, where it was announced during the week the midfielder had signed with Belgian side Standard Liege on a four-year contract.
Meanwhile, Lionel Scaloni named a strong starting line-up, headlined by Messi, Alexis Mac Allister, Angel Di Maria and Enzo Fernandez. Indeed, Nicolas Gonzalez and Di Maria were the two inclusions that did not start in the Argentine side which edged past Australia six months ago.
Containing Messi would have been top of the agenda heading into the clash, though it took just 90 seconds for him to break the deadlock via a brilliant strike from outside the box.
The Aussies lost the ball cheaply in midfield and Fernandez found the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, who then did the rest, evading a challenge to sensationally curl his effort into the corner beyond an outstretched Mat Ryan.
