MONTRÉAL, Canada — In his time as coach of the Melbourne Victory, Tony Popovic famously relished the opportunity to play the villain and spoil an opponent’s dream scenario. As the current boss of the Socceroos, Friday night’s 1-0 triumph over Canada may just be one of his most remarkable victories yet.
The clash at Stade Saputo was expected to be a festive homecoming for Canada, who hadn’t played in Montréal since 2017. With a squad rich in Francophone players and a World Cup on the horizon, they were riding high after recent victories over Romania and Wales, propelling them to a record-high FIFA ranking of 26. Prime Minister Mark Carney and FIFA president Gianni Infantino were both present for the occasion.
What was expected to be a celebration turned sour as Canada found themselves on the back foot, dominating possession (60%) and outshooting Australia (17 to 5) but ultimately succumbing to a 1-0 defeat. The match heralded the fourth goal contribution from Mohamed Toure in three games when his cross was deflected, allowing Nestory Irankunda to pounce and score his second international goal in consecutive games.
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The Canadian side witnessed Paul Izzo set a record with eight saves, presenting a challenge to Mathew Ryan regarding the Socceroos’ No. 1 position. The game marked seven consecutive wins for Australia, extending their unbeaten streak to 11 matches and placing them among the select few—along with Argentina, the Netherlands, and Mexico—to defeat Canada within 90 minutes since Jesse Marsch took over.
Post-match, Marsch acknowledged the disappointment of his players, stating, “The guys knew the crowd was great, and they wanted to electrify them. You could see the frustration on their faces because they wanted to connect with the fans.”
By the final whistle, the anticipation that had once filled the stands had turned to discontent as fans expressed their frustration towards a team that had repeatedly encountered Izzo, who made some remarkable saves, particularly in the tense 90th minute when Liam Millar found Jacob Shaffelburg open, but saw his shot thwarted by the agile keeper.
“I’m really pleased with how I performed,” Izzo said. “Honestly, I’m a bit at a loss for words right now. I came in today not expecting to play, but when the chance came, I seized it with both hands.”
The frustration was palpable among the Canadian players; Joel Waterman and Tani Oluwaseyi found themselves embroiled in a scuffle with Irankunda during stoppage time. The young forward, unyielding, was pulled away by Ryan and members of the Socceroos bench but managed to greet Popovic with a supportive hug after being substituted.
Popovic commended Irankunda’s contributions, highlighting the growth and potential he sees in the young player. “I’m just proud of what he achieved. The last two matches have showcased his goal-scoring ability for Australia,” he said.
Ultimately, Australia executed their game plan perfectly in Montréal: they absorbed pressure, frustrated their opponents, and capitalized on their chances. The crowd’s boos reflected the mounting frustration of a Canadian team that had felt they had done enough to win but fell short.
Despite the loss, there were valuable lessons for Canada. As indicated by the statistics and Izzo’s heroic efforts, Australia had to rely on some luck to secure the victory, even though Canada has consistently struggled to break through tightly organized defenses.
Throughout the match, while Canada sought to maintain their momentum, Australia remained defensively structured. This resulted in tight passing lanes, disrupted crosses, and smothered chances, as the Socceroos showcased their defensive prowess.
However, moments of threat emerged when Canada effectively counter-pressed, exposing areas where Australia struggled to maintain possession. Winger Tajon Buchanan was instrumental in these situations, challenging Australia’s Kye Rowles as he made dynamic runs into the box, generating goal-scoring opportunities.
Canada’s counterattacks frequently highlighted Australia’s difficulties playing out from the back. The combinations between debutants and midfielders struggled to find cohesion, leading to breakdowns in play or premature long balls that were easily dealt with by the Canadian defense. While Rowles has proven his worth as a center-back, his role as a wingback lacks depth in this current setup.
As the second half unfolded, with the introductions of Patrick Yazbek and wingbacks Lewis Miller and Jordy Bos around the hour mark, Australia’s dynamic shifted. A quick exploit of Bos’s run down the left highlighted the value of having wingbacks capable of stretching the game.
While expecting a major overhaul in the Socceroos’ approach might be overly optimistic, building upon their current unbeaten streak of 11 matches and seven wins is essential as they prepare for the World Cup. Progress will require improved adaptability and fluidity, with their next test looming against the United States on Tuesday in Denver. Winning consistently makes these adjustments easier, and the Socceroos have shown they can excel in that regard, which is crucial moving forward.