Our previous meetings with Argentina

Almost six months after Australia and Argentina faced off in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Round of 16, the two nations will meet again in an international friendly in Beijing on Thursday, 15 June.

The two sides first met in 1988 and have subsequently crossed paths a further seven matches, most recently at the World’s biggest tournament.

Australia enjoyed an historic performance after advancing from Group D in second place with their highest-ever points tally (six) following 1-0 triumphs against Tunisia and Denmark, recovering from an opening game 4-1 loss to France.

The Subway Socceroos’ progression set up a fascinating clash with South American heavyweights Argentina in the Round of 16.

Indeed, it was the Albiceleste who knocked out the Aussies as they went on to win the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, with Lionel Scaloni admitted the Green and Gold was their most difficult opponent.

Read on to learn more about our previous meetings with Argentina.

Head-to-head

Played: 8
Wins: 1
Draws: 1
Losses: 6

 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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

2022 | 2-1 loss | FIFA World Cup | Round of 16

Not many fancied Australia’s chances ahead of their last 16 clash at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium. The Aussies went in as underdogs against a squad littered with world class talent. Australia was resolute in the opening 30 minutes, before a moment of magic from Lionel Messi broke parity, as he perfectly placed a low curling finish into the bottom corner. Julian Alvarez doubled then doubled the advantage after Rodrigo de Paul disposed Mat Ryan, allowing the Manchester City forward to profit.

But in true Australian fashion, were not going to die wondering, and pushed to salvage a result. A lifeline was handed when substitute Craig Goodwin’s 77th minute strike took a wicked deflection off Enzo Fernandez, leaving Emiliano Martinez helpless.

Aziz Behich soon after slalomed his way through before a desperate, last-ditch tackle from Lisandro Martinez denied the left-back a certain goal. There would be one final chance which fell to prodigious talent Garang Kuol. The 18-year-old, who became the youngest player to appear in the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup since Pelé in 1958, saw his one-on-one attempt repelled by the Argentine goalkeeper.