The Socceroos have suffered a 1-0 defeat to Mexico in a FIFA World Cup warm-up match at the Rose Bowl, with Cristian Volpato's much-anticipated debut put on hold.
Marco Monteverde reported from the scene that Volpato, a former Italian youth international, was not included in the match-day squad for the clash on Sunday. A first-half header from Mexican defender Johan Vasquez proved to be the decisive moment in California.
Australia had opportunities to level the score through Mohamed Toure and substitute Ajdin Hrustic, but despite an improved second-half performance, they could not find the back of the net.
Volpato Left Out
All attention was on the team sheet before the match to see if Volpato, who had been rushed into the train-on squad after switching allegiance from Italy, would feature. However, he was one of four players from the 30-man contingent not included in the 26-man match-day squad, alongside goalkeeper Joe Gauci and attackers Brandon Borrello and Tete Yengi.
Mexico's Winning Goal
The Socceroos were disappointed with how the goal came about in the 28th minute. Alexis Vega's outswinging corner found Vasquez, whose well-placed header beat goalkeeper Mat Ryan. Three minutes earlier, Ryan had made a crucial save, tipping a header from an unmarked Vega over the crossbar.
Toure had a golden chance to equalise in first-half stoppage time after being gifted possession by Mexican defender Mateo Chavez. With goalkeeper Raul Rangel stranded, Toure only needed to guide the ball into an empty net, but he failed to hit the target.
In the 68th minute, Hrustic had a shot blocked after being set up by fellow substitute Kai Trewin.
Key Players Return
The starting side included returning pair Harry Souttar and Mathew Leckie, as well as teenage defender Lucas Herrington. Leckie made his first national team appearance since June 2024, while Souttar recently returned for Leicester City after 15 months out with a ruptured Achilles.
"It's always an honour to put on the shirt. I've missed it so much," Souttar said. "It's disappointing to lose but there are plenty of positives to take from it. I thought we were the better side in the second half but we couldn't get that goal."
Exciting prospect Nestory Irankunda did not start and only entered the contest in the 80th minute, replacing Toure.
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic explained the lineup choices to Paramount Plus: "There are various reasons for the line-up. 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 who 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 who hasn't played, and it'll be nice to see him out on the pitch."
The starting team was: Ryan, Jacob Italiano, Alessandro Circati, Souttar, Herrington, Jordan Bos, Aiden O'Neill, Jackson Irvine, Leckie, Connor Metcalfe, and Toure.
The Socceroos' 26-man World Cup squad is set to be announced on Monday, with the final warm-up game against Switzerland next Sunday. "There'll be disappointed boys that are going to miss out which is a tough thing," Souttar added. "It's a real shame, but that's football."
