'Amazing miss' costs sloppy Socceroos dearly in 1-0 World Cup warmup loss to Mexico
Updated . First published at
Mohamed Toure was perplexed after the Socceroos striker's cries for a first half foul were ignored by American referee Rubiel Vazquez at a heaving Rose Bowl on Sunday (AEST).
Mexico captain Edson Alvarez escaped unpunished for what appeared a clear foul on Toure, grabbing his shirt in desperation before the goal-bound Australian took a tumble.
Commentator Robbie Thomson and Paramount+ pundits Alex Brosque and Erik Paartalu believed a red card was more than warranted, given it denied Toure a one-on-one goalscoring opportunity with only Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel to beat.
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Mexico captain Edson Alvarez escapes unpunished for what appeared a clear foul on Socceroos striker Mohamed Toure. Paramount+
"If that's legal against Mo Toure, here and now I give up. What is legal about this? What the hell is he watching?" Andy Harper fumed in commentary.
Mexico then rubbed salt into the wound when Johan Vasquez gave his side a 1-0 lead in the 27th minute - which proved to be the winner in front of 80,000 fans.
Centre back Vasquez scored his second international goal from a header as Australia's defending from the corner left a bit to be desired.
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The ball went in off the post as Socceroos captain Mathew Ryan unsuccessfully scrambled to deny its entry.
Toure then butchered a golden goalscoring opportunity in first half added time when he hooked the ball over the top of Rangel but to the left of the open goal.
"It's an amazing miss," Harper said.
Mohamed Toure can't believe his miss. Paramount+
"He can't believe he missed and if we watch the goals he's scored for Norwich... he'd have done that with his eyes closed. It went wrong for him there and Tony Popovic belts the ground with both palms."
Ajdin Hrustic also had a chance to equalise in the second half but his shot was smartly blocked by Israel Reyes. Mexico are ranked 15th in the world and Australia are 27th.
The friendly in Los Angeles in front of a massive pro-Mexico crowd was the final opportunity for both sets of players to impress before the June 1 World Cup squad deadline.
Johan Vasquez of Mexico celebrates scoring. Getty
High profile Italy convert Cristian Volpato was not included on Tony Popovic's team sheet after only just arriving in camp.
Brandon Borrello, Tete Yengi and Joe Gauci were also missing from the matchday squad in a possible pointer to Popovic's thinking.
The Socceroos XI looked close to full strength while Mexico fielded a more experimental line-up.
"There are various reasons for the lineup," Popovic said before kickoff.
"There's a good mix between players that have been in camp for a while, that we'd like to see what they can do. We haven't played for a while and some senior boys we haven't seen for a while, and also you've got guys like Harry (Souttar) who hasn't played and it'd be nice to see him out on the pitch and I'm sure he'll do well."
Popovic said places in the squad were still genuinely up for grabs.
Tony Popovic of Australia reacts during the international friendly match. Getty
"Yeah, of course. We have an idea of what we'd like to do and all the players deserve to be here, including the ones that aren't on the team sheet for today," he said.
"We'll make some decisions tonight and tomorrow morning on the best squad that we believe can do Australia proud at a World Cup."
Popovic is due to name his squad on Monday before a final warmup game against Switzerland on June 7 (AEST).
Fans of Australia cheer during the international friendly match. Getty
Australia then open their World Cup campaign against Turkiye in Vancouver on June 14 (AEST).
Harper was also bemused by what he saw as a "ridiculous" drinks break after 78 minutes.
FIFA have said mandatory three-minute hydration breaks will take place midway through each half of every World Cup match (around the 22nd and 67th minutes) due to expected high temperatures.
Australia and Mexico argue during the international friendly match at Rose Bowl Stadium. Getty
They will be enforced in all games, regardless of the temperature or whether stadiums are air conditioned.
It was only Mexico's second win against the Australia in seven matches.
Mexico enjoyed 59 per cent of possession and had 13 shots at goal to the Socceroos' seven.
Despite the result, Socceroos defender Harry Souttar was delighted to make his first national team appearance since 2024.
"It's going to be great preparation for what we've got in our second game (against Switzerland)," Souttar said.
"Some decisions were going against us, that's for sure. But listen, that's what you're up against, and we make no excuses about it. We know what's coming."
Cristian Volpato of US Sassuolo celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Como 1907. Getty
Former Socceroos star Brosque would not be surprised if Volpato misses out on the World Cup squad.
"Look, Popa (Popovic) did say that he's done all the things necessary to become an Australian national team player. He's there, he was eligible tonight," Brosque said.
"There's a lot of players that have done the hard work to get here, you know. For Cristian to come in and walk into that squad was always going to be difficult. I love the fact that he's now signalled his intent to represent the Socceroos, that's great. But yeah, I think a lot of boys have earned the right to be part of that squad tomorrow."
