The Socceroos pushed hard late but were unable to find an equaliser as they fell 1-0 to Mexico in a spirited display in front of 78,798 fans at California’s iconic Rose Bowl on Sunday.
The friendly was the final chance for several World Cup hopefuls to stake their claim before Socceroos manager Tony Popovic names his final 26-man squad on Monday.
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Popovic used the clash with one of the tournament co-hosts to build cohesion among his likely starters, however.
No substitutions were made in the opening hour as Popovic got minutes into the legs of Harry Souttar and Mathew Leckie, who only recently returned to club football from long-term injury layoffs and donned the green and gold for the first time in two years.
Souttar played the full 90 minutes in a massive boost for the Socceroos ahead of the World Cup despite the result.
“Disappointing in the end to lose but plenty of positives. We had a lot of joy in the second half but just couldn’t get that goal. Conceding from a set piece was disappointing and there’s plenty to work on, but plenty of positives too,” Souttar told Paramount Plus.
“The squad is not named yet so I don’t want to say anything, there are going to be some disappointed boys. It’s a shame, but that’s football.
“Every day feels like it’s getting closer and getting more real. It’s a disappointing night tonight but there are so many positives to take going forward.”
Souttar and Leckie, heroes of the last World Cup in Qatar, were joined in the starting XI by Jackson Irvine and Mohamed Toure after they too missed Australia’s previous outing – a 5-1 drubbing of Curacao in Melbourne in March.
Toure was in the thick of action as the Norwich star led the line for the Socceroos.
The 22-year-old should have been awarded a free kick in the ninth minute after he was brought down by Mexico captain Edson Álvarez when through on goal.
Álvarez, who has been on loan with Turkish side Fenerbahce from freshly relegated West Ham, could have easily been sent off for the challenge and several former Socceroos were left baffled at the non-decision by the referee.
“If that’s legal, I give up,” former Socceroo Robbie Slater said on commentary.
“What is going on with the referee?”
Fellow ex-Socceroo Erik Paartalu added on Paramount Plus: “It’s as red as blood.
“If that happens in the World Cup, there’s going to be big, big problems.”
Mexico nabbed the opener in the 27th minute when Socceroos skipper Mat Ryan had no chance of saving Johan Vásquez’s header after the defender rose above Aiden O’Neill from a corner.
Only a few minutes earlier, Ryan pulled off a superb save to keep the scores deadlocked as Australia was made to repel plenty of attacks in the first half.
According to ESPN’s live blog, Ryan also had to deal with green laser pointers attempting to blind him from the stands.
Australia easily could have gone into half time level, however.
In the first minute of stoppage time, Toure was gifted a chance at a near open net as an attempted clearing header from a long ball fell at his feet.
It was the sort of opening the Norwich striker has pounced on in the Championship this year, but he could not believe that he pushed the shot wide of the post.
Popovic was filthy on the sidelines, banging the turf in frustration.
The referee drama carried into the second half when Mexico claimed they have scored a second goal by taking a free kick quickly when the referee was not ready as he was spraying foam.
The referee stood his ground despite the protests of the massive crowd and the Mexican players on the pitch.
There was even some push and shove between the two sides as tempers flared.
Conceding a second goal would not have told the full story of the second half.
After sitting back for much of the opening 45 minutes, the Socceroos lifted their level after a dressing room talk from Popovic – as has been the case for much of his tenure.
Ajdin Hrustic came on the pitch in the 68th minute as one of four changes and had a chance with his first touch of the game.
Kai Trewin’s brilliant pass put Hrustic through on goal, but his shot was blocked by Israel Reyes.
Jordy Bos was lively and produced a couple of eye-catching runs where his speed caused trouble for the Mexicans.
The Feyenoord star and Toure eventually made way after 80 minutes with Nestory Irankunda replacing his fellow Adelaide product in attack and providing a spark in the dying minutes.
Intriguingly before kick-off, Popovic made the call to leave Cristian Volpato out of the match day squad less than 48 hours after announcing the 22-year-old has pledged his allegiance to the Socceroos.
Popovic teased in his match eve press conference that the Sydney born and raised winger, who has given up on his dream of playing for Italy, may make his international debut.
“Once he made a decision that he wants to represent Australia, well, now there’s a decision that we have to make,” Popovic said.
“Do we go through the process? How quick can that process be? Is it worth doing now? Putting everything together, we’ve come to the conclusion that we’ll take that process further.
“Fortunately, that’s all been ticked off. He’s actually eligible to play tomorrow, which he may. He may sit on the bench and come on.”
But having only joined the Socceroos’ camp in recent days, he was left out and will await to find out if he has earned a place in the final World Cup squad.
Four players will miss out when Popovic announces the final 26 at 11.30am AEST on Monday.
The Socceroos will then have one more friendly against Switzerland next Sunday morning AEST before the World Cup opener against Turkey on June 14.
Socceroos Starting XI: Maty Ryan (c), Jacob Italiano, Alessandro Circati, Harry Souttar, Lucas Herrington, Jordy Bos, Aiden O’Neill, Jackson Irvine, Connor Metcalfe, Mathew Leckie, Mohamed Toure
Subs: Milos Degenek, Kye Rowles, Martin Boyle, Ajdin Hrustic, Nestory Irankunda, Paul Izzo, Aziz Behich, Cam Devlin, Paul Okon-Engstler, Cam Burgess, Jason Geria, Patrick Beach, Nishan Velupillau, Kai Trewin, Awer Mabil
Recap all the action in our live blog below. Can’t see it? Click here