Argentina vs Australia

Argentina and Australia are set to lock horns in a handsomely-looking international friendly at the Workers’ Stadium in China.

Reigning world champions Argentina return to Chinese soil for the first time since 2014 for a rematch against an Australia side they defeated 2-1 in the 2022 World Cup last-16 en route to winning ‘Big Ears’ for the first time since 1986. Diego Scaloni’s men have picked up where they left off in Qatar, registering a brace of overwhelming victories over sub-par Curacao (7) and Panama (2-0) in March to set themselves up nicely for this fixture. Fresh from penning a long-term contract extension with ‘La Albiceleste,’ Scaloni is hellbent on stretching his side’s jaw-dropping run of 14 unbeaten friendlies (W11, D3) spanning back to 2019. Adding to Argentina’s confidence, they’ve emerged victorious in all three meetings with Australia in the 21st century, netting seven goals while conceding only three in return.

In the meantime, Australia’s first foray into the World Cup knockout stages since 2006 may have ended abruptly in the first round, yet it must have boosted the team’s spirits ahead of the upcoming challenges. Unfortunately, they’ve struggled to back this claim at the start of 2023, experiencing mixed fortunes in March’s doubleheader against Argentina’s fellow continental rivals Ecuador (W1, L1). Both fixtures saw over 2.5 goals and both teams on the scoresheet, highlighting the potential for an exciting, high-scoring affair. That’s been the case in two of Australia’s three H2Hs against Argentina in the new millennium. Encouragingly for manager Graham Arnold, excluding Australia’s participation in the Qatar World Cup, his men have won their last two internationals on foreign soil, bagging precisely two goals on both occasions.