Australia started well in Moscow, before Chile grew into the game. The Socceroos had an early penalty shout turned down after Juric went down under the challenge of Isla and penalty shouts become a recurring theme in the first half.

Chile had the first real chance of the game when Fuenzalida’s cross from the right found Vidal on the edge of the box, he hit the ball on the volley but was denied by a good save from Ryan and the rebound somehow came to nothing.

The game’s next major talking point came after 26 minutes, Sanchez looked to be in behind after a ball over the top by Mena, but before he could get a shot away he was brought down by Milligan. The referee waved play on but VAR was later consulted, with it showing that Milligan’s challenge was perfectly timed and, most importantly, not a foul. Immediately after that appeal was turned down Chile were up in arms again after Vargas went down under Milligan’s challenge but the referee was once again unmoved.

VAR was consulted again after 34 minutes when Cahill flew into a challenge with Aranguiz, it was slightly high but a yellow card was deemed sufficient. Australia went close shortly afterwards as Troisi dinked the ball in behind for Luongo, but his effort from 8 yards was well kept out by Claudio Bravo. Diaz then headed wide in the aftermath of a corner before Australia took the lead on 41 minutes.

Bravo looked to play out from the back but his ball into midfield was intercepted, the onrushing Sainsbury looked to have wasted the chance but Kruse managed to force it back across goal where an unmarked James Troisi dinked the ball over Bravo to give the socceroos the lead. It should have been two just before the break when Chile failed to clear a free kick and Sainsbury found himself completely unmarked 8 yards out but contrived to blaze his right footed volley over the bar with the goal gaping.

Chile made a double change at half time as they looked to get back into the game and it did the trick. They had the first chance of the second half as Vargas’ snapshot from a narrow angle was saved by Ryan.

Chile levelled things after 67 minutes after Australia failed to clear Mena’s cross. Vargas won the second ball and found Rodriguez, one of the half time substitutes, 6 yards out who put the ball past Ryan to score his first international goal. Chile almost took the lead immediately after the restart as Sanchez brushed Milligan aside down the right and crossed for Vargas who could only head wide from around the penalty spot.

MacLaren then had a fantastic chance to put Australia back into the lead, Troisi found him with a fantastic cross but the striker could only send the ball wide from 6 yards. Troisi was at the heart of everything good the socceroos did, with his delivery into the box in particular being very accurate and consistent.

From there on out the game started to peter out, both sides exchanged long-range efforts but there were no more real clear-cut chances created.

Germany top group B thanks to their victory over Cameroon whilst Chile also advance in second. Germany will face Mexico in the semi-finals whilst Chile will play Portugal.

M. Rodríguez

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