The CommBank Socceroos have been defeated 1-0 in the penultimate friendly match before the FIFA World Cup 2026™ at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California.
A goal to Mexico off the back of a set piece in the first half was the difference between the two sides.
The starting eleven featured a number of long-awaited returns. Mathew Leckie appeared for the first time since June 2024, while Harry Souttar started in his first appearance since November 2024.
Young forward Mohamed Toure and the experienced Jackson Irvine also returned to the starting eleven in the final hit out before the squad is selected for the global finals.
Souttar made his presence felt immediately, making a fantastic block within a minute of kick-off after an early Mexico set piece.
The World Cup hosts had much of the early running. Australia were forced onto the back foot, spending much of the first half defending against a Mexican side who had the majority of possession.
The pressure eventually told. Johan Vásquez got on the end of a header at the near post after a corner. It made its way in off the inside of the far post, beyond a diving Maty Ryan.
Australia almost equalised before half-time. A mistake at the back gave Toure a fantastic look a goal. It didn’t quite bounce for him, however, and the in-form striker dragged his shot wide of the post.
The second half started brightly for the Socceroos. A set piece created opportunity, a shot from distance from Aiden O’Neill having to be palmed away by a good save from the goalkeeper.
Twenty minutes into the half, Australia were the only team to have touches in the opposition box, exemplifying the shift in the match after the break.
Popovic turned to the bench in the 66th minute. Paul Okon-Engstler, Ajdin Hrustic, Nishan Velupillay and Kai Trewin were introduced as the Socceroos chased the equaliser.
The substitutes came close to making an immediate impact. Trewin created a fantastic opportunity in front of goal, slicing open Mexico’s defence with a pass that found Hrustic. The shot from inside the box, however, was blocked before it could challenge the goalkeeper.
Mexico had the ball in the back of the net after as set piece with 15 minutes of regulation time to go, but had taken the free kick too quickly. The goal did not stand.
Two more changes took place after the second drinks break. Nestory Irankunda and Aziz Behich were introduced in place of Mo Toure and Jordy Bos respectively.
The final two changes took place in the final minute of regulation time, with Awer Mabil and Cameron Burgess replacing Jackson Irvine and Lucas Herrington.
While a disappointing result, it was a vital learning experience against the World No.15 and there will be plenty to take from what was a strong second-half showing.
Match Summary
Mexico: 1 (Vasquez 28’)
Australia: 0
Mexico: 1. Raul Rangel (13. Guillermo Ochoa 46’), 2. Jorge Sanchez (15. Israel Reyes 46’), 4. Edson Alvarez (3. Cesar Montes 60’), 5. Johan Vasquez (28. Alejandro Gomez 73’), 7. Luis Romo (18. Obed Vargas 73’), 8. Alvaro Fidalgo (19. Gilberto Mora 60’), 10. Alexis Vega (16. Julian Quinones 60’), 17. Orbelin Pineda (21. Cesar Huerta 46’), 20. Mateo Chavez (23. Jesus Gallardo 60’), 22. Guillermo Martinez (11. Santiago Gimenez 46’), 24. Luis Chavez (6. Erik Lira 60’)
Unused substitutes: 12. Carlos Acevedo (GK), 9. Raul Jiminez, 14. Armando Gonzalez, 26. Brian Gutierrez, 27. Kevin Castaneda
Yellow Cards: 21. Cesar Huerta 52’
Australia: 1. Mathew Ryan, 3. Alessandro Circati, 5. Jordan Bos (16. Aziz Behich 79’), 7. Mathew Leckie (10. Ajdin Hrustic 66’), 8. Connor Metcalfe (34. Nishan Velupillay 66’), 9. Mohamed Toure (11. Nestory Irankunda 79’), 13. Aiden O’Neill (20. Paul Okon-Engstler), 19. Harry Souttar, 22. Jackson Irvine (38. Awer Mabil 90’), 23. Jacob Italiano (36. Kai Trewin 66’), 26. Lucas Herrington (21. Cameron Burgess 90’)
Unused substitutes: 12. Paul Izzo (GK), 28. Patrick Beach (GK), 2. Milos Degenek, 4. Kye Rowles, 6. Martin Boyle, 17. Cameron Devlin, 25. Jason Geria