Messi finds way to break down resilient Aussies as Hearts, Celtic, Dundee United and St Mirren stars return to clubs with heads held high

Moira Gordon
By Moira Gordon
Published 3rd Dec 2022, 22:25 BST
Updated 3rd Dec 2022, 22:25 BST
Comment
In defying the odds, Australia spent their time in Qatar proving that team work, togetherness, solid preparation, pride, heart and endeavour can pepper holes in perceived limitations and help exceed expectations.

But, when up against gods of the game, rather than mere mortals, sometimes those commodities are just not good enough.

Bookending marvellous results against Tunisia and Denmark - the first time they had registered two wins at a World Cup - they came up short against France in their opening game as the feints and pace of Kylian Mbappe gave them a difficult 90 minutes and then rounded off their tournament with a Lionel Messi-inspired defeat against Argentina.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But if they walked off the pitch with heads spinning from their experience against the Europeans, they would have strode out of the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan with heads held high.

Lionel Messi of Argentina battles for possession with Kye Rowles of Australia during their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 round of 16 match. Photo by Michael Steele/Getty ImagesLionel Messi of Argentina battles for possession with Kye Rowles of Australia during their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 round of 16 match. Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
Lionel Messi of Argentina battles for possession with Kye Rowles of Australia during their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 round of 16 match. Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images

And, their clubs can expect to reap the benefits of their World Cup journey, as they return with extra belief, the adrenaline rush and feelgood factor that comes from the experience of pitting your wits against the world’s best and proving your worth in such company.

They lost the match but, unlike so many who are confronted by the mercurial genius of Messi, they kept their discipline and deserve great credit for the way they were able to stand their ground.

A side which included four Scottish Premiership players in the starting line-up, with St Mirren’s Keanu Baccus joining Dundee United’s Aziz Behich, and Celtic midfielder Aaron Mooy and Hearts defender Kye Rowles, who have caught the eye already on this stage, the Socceroos were a side making their first appearance in the last 16 since 2006.

But there was nothing in their play to suggest they were worried about the task in front of them as they faced up to arguably the greatest player ever and a team that had started the World Cup as one of the bookies’ favourites to lift the trophy.

Instead, their preparation and tactics looked spot on as they curtailed Argentina for most of the first half, doubling up when necessary, grafting hard to do so, and still staying organised and compact.

Keeping things narrow, they presented Messi with no time and space as he attempted to pull the strings and combine with Argentina’s other attacking options to conjure up a goal.