Socceroos will play world champions Argentina in China | OneFootball

Australia will play against world champions Argentina in a friendly match at the Workers’ Stadium in Beijing on June 15.

The two sides last met each other in the 2022 World Cup round of 16 when La Albiceleste beat them 2-1 to end their journey in Qatar.

However, Australia had fought hard and could have forced the game to extra time with Garang Kuol’s late effort, which was saved by Emiliano Martinez.

Manager Lionel Scaloni praised the Socceroos’ performance, saying they ‘played us well’.

Argentina beat Netherlands and Croatia before triumphing over France on penalties in the final to lift their third World Cup trophy.

They are set to take on Graham Arnold’s side in Beijing before facing Indonesia during a two-game exhibition tour to Asia next month.

Football Australia chief executive James Johnson said (as per AP News): “Football is truly the global game and for Australia to be invited to play this match in China, and against the world number one.

“We hope this will open further opportunities for our two nations to work together both on and off the football field.”

Following their World Cup success, Argentina hosted Panama and Curacao for two friendlies in March.

Lionel Scaloni’s men were spectacular in the two matches as they eased past their rivals by a combined 9-0 scoreline.

La Albiceleste beat Panama 2-0 before putting seven past Curacao to claim an emphatic victory at the Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades, with Lionel Messi notching a hat-trick.

Australia have endured mixed results since their World Cup exit in December.

They defeated Ecuador 3-1 at the Western Sydney Stadium in March, but the South American outfit bounced back in the next friendly in Melbourne to win 2-1.