Our History vs Argentina

As Australia prepares to face Argentina in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ on Sunday morning (AEDT), we examine our previous matches against one of the tournament favourites.

The two nations first met in 1988 and have since played a further six matches, with the last encounter occurring more than 15 years ago in an international friendly in 2007 in Melbourne.

Australia emerged from Group D in second place with their highest-ever points tally (six) after 1-0 victories over Tunisia and Denmark to bounce back from an opening game 4-1 loss to France.

How to watch: Argentina vs Australia | FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™

But standing in Australia's way and an inaugural spot in the quarter finals is South American powerhouse Argentina.

The Albiceleste suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia before recovering with successive 2-0 wins over Mexico and Poland to top Group C.

Socceroos home jersey 2022 - Our Story Is Never Done


Head-to-head

Played: 7
Wins: 1
Draws: 1
Losses: 5

1988 | 4-1 win | Bicentennial Gold Cup

Australia's solitary triumph over the Argentines happened in their inaugural meeting at the Sydney Football Stadium. It was a surprise win over the reigning world champions at the time and will be forever synonymous with a stunning long-range free-kick from Charlie Yankos. He bagged a brace while Paul Wade and Vlado Bozinovski were also on target.

Charlie Yankos


1992 | 2-0 loss | International Friendly

The Socceroos faced Argentina at the iconic Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aries in a friendly four years later but went down following a double from prodigious striker Gabriel Batistuta. 

1993 | 1-1 draw | FIFA World Cup Qualifying Intercontinental Play-off | First-leg

A two-legged tie against the might of Argentina was all that was hindering the Socceroos from qualifying for the 1994 World Cup and a first appearance at the tournament in 20 years. It was the first time Argentina had to qualify for the World Cup via a play-off match. Moreover, 1970 was the only instance where the South Americans failed to appear at the tournament, but with Diego Maradona returning to the side it was always going to be a tough ask. Aurelio Vidmar cancelled out Abel Balbo's effort before half-time in front of more than 43,000 spectators in Sydney.

Frank Farina


1993 | 1-0 loss | FIFA World Cup Qualifying Intercontinental Play-off | Second-leg

The return leg back in the Argentinian capital in front of 67,000 saw a gallant Aussie outfit come undone after an Alex Tobin own goal. The 2-1 aggregate loss meant the Socceroos' quest of reaching the World Cup would have to wait.

Diego Maradona


1995 | 2-0 | loss | International Friendly 

Australia and Argentina met again for a fourth time in the 1990s, this time another friendly in Quilmes. And it was familiar goal-scorers for the hosts with a seventh minute finish from Abel Balbo before Gabriel Batistuta put the result beyond doubt in the 90th minute. 

Argentina v Australia


2005 | 4-2 loss | FIFA Confederations Cup

After a 10-year break between encounters, the two teams faced off at the Confederations Cup in Germany - its third competitive meeting. Luciano Figueroa's double and a Juan Roman Riquelme penalty had the Argentine's in a commanding 3-0 position. But Australia made a game of it through John Aloisi's quick-fire second-half brace. However, Figueroa restored a two-goal lead a minute before full-time.

John Aloisi


2007 | 1-0 loss | International Friendly 

The iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground entertained Australia and Argentina side, boasting a young Lionel Messi. In a scrappy contest, Australia's resistance would be broken by Martin Demichellis' header off the post from Messi's in-swinging free-kick. 

Josip Skoko


FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ - Round of 16

Argentina v Australia
Date: Sunday, 4 December 2022
Venue: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium Stadium
Kick-off: 6:00am (AEDT)
Watch: LIVE and FREE on SBS and SBS On Demand