Australia have progressed to the World Cup Round of 16 for just the second time in their history in Qatar.
The Socceroos claimed consecutive 1-0 wins over Tunisia and Denmark to claim second spot in Group D.
Graham Arnold’s side will now face heavyweights Argentina in the knockout stages with both sides given just two days of recovery time.
While Lionel Messi and Co. will be strong favourites in this match, but Australia have kept back-to-back clean sheets and have enough depth to shake things up slightly when it comes to their starting side in search of another upset.
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Australia lineup vs Argentina
Australia’s only lineup changes in Qatar so far have come at right-back with Fran Karacic replacing Nathaniel Atkinson against Tunisia before Milos Degenek started in that position against Denmark.
Based on his strong performance last time out, Degenek is a strong chance of retaining his spot – willing he pulls up alright.
Changes further up the field seem more likely based on the short turnaround with No.10 Ajdin Hrustic yet to start a match at this World Cup and looking like a good option to freshen up the midfield at the expense of Riley McGree.
Craig Goodwin was replaced at half-time against Denmark to cast some doubt over whether he’ll start against Argentina with Awer Mabil looming as a good alternative if needed.
Australia projected lineup (4-4-1-1, right to left): 1. Ryan (GK) — 2 Degenek, 19. Souttar, 4. Rowles, 16. Behich — 7. Leckie, 13. Mooy, 22. Irvine, 11. Mabil — 10. Hrustic — 15. Duke.
- Injured: Martin Boyle (removed from squad)
- Suspended: None
🎶 with Souttar at the back, Leckie in attack all the way to Round of 16 🎶
💚💛 fans in full voice post-Denmark win #Socceroos #GiveIt100 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/jES6JDcoOF
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) December 1, 2022
Australia World Cup squad
Here are the 26 names on Australia’s World Cup squad in Qatar (Caps correct as of start of Qatar 2022):
| Position | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Maty Ryan | FC Copenhagen (DEN) | 30 | 76 |
| Goalkeeper | Andrew Redmayne | Sydney FC (AUS) | 33 | 4 |
| Goalkeeper | Danny Vukovic | Central Coast Mariners (AUS) | 37 | 4 |
| Defender | Milos Degenek | Columbus Crew (USA) | 28 | 39 |
| Defender | Aziz Behich | Dundee United (SCO) | 31 | 54 |
| Defender | Joel King | OB (DAN) | 21 | 4 |
| Defender | Nathaniel Atkinson | Hearts (SCO) | 23 | 6 |
| Defender | Fran Karacic | Brescia (ITA) | 26 | 11 |
| Defender | Harry Souttar | Stoke City (ENG) | 23 | 11 |
| Defender | Kye Rowles | Hearts (SCO) | 24 | 4 |
| Defender | Bailey Wright | Sunderland (ENG) | 30 | 27 |
| Defender | Thomas Deng | Albirex Niigata (JAP) | 25 | 2 |
| Midfielder | Aaron Mooy | Celtic (SCO) | 32 | 54 |
| Midfielder | Jackson Irvine | St Pauli (GER) | 29 | 50 |
| Midfielder | Ajdin Hrustic | Hellas Verona (ITA) | 26 | 20 |
| Midfielder | Keanu Baccus | St Mirren (SCO) | 29 | 2 |
| Midfielder | Cameron Devlin | Hearts (SCO) | 24 | 1 |
| Midfielder | Riley McGree | Middlesbrough (ENG) | 23 | 12 |
| Forward | Awer Mabil | Cadiz (SPA) | 27 | 30 |
| Forward | Mathew Leckie | Melbourne City (AUS) | 31 | 74 |
| Forward | Marco Tilio | Melbourne City (AUS) | 21 | 5 |
| Forward | Jamie Maclaren | Melbourne City (AUS) | 29 | 26 |
| Forward | Jason Cummings | Central Coast Mariners (AUS) | 27 | 2 |
| Forward | Mitchell Duke | Fagiano Okayama (JAP) | 31 | 22 |
| Forward | Garang Kuol | Central Coast Mariners (AUS) | 18 | 2 |
| Forward | Craig Goodwin | Adelaide United (AUS) | 30 | 11 |
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