World Cup : "I have to be very proud of the players " - Graham Arnold

As Australia's World Cup comes to an end, Argentina ace Lionel Messi scored in a 2-1 win that eliminated the Socceroos.

Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez scored a goal each for the Argentines to put them in a strong position.

Fighting back tears in an on-pitch interview just moments after Australia fell agonisingly short of sending their round of 16 to extra time, Jackson Irvine praised his team’s sound defensive effort — one that could be pierced only by the greatest player of all time.

In a press conference, Socceroos coach Graham Arnold said he was proud of his players, but admitted the Mat Ryan mistake that led to the Alvarez goal had cost the team.

“I have to be very proud of the players, we played against the no. 3 in the world and you know, the first goal from Messi was just a quality goal. In the end, the mistake cost us,” he said.

“I just hope everyone back home in Australia really respects what we’ve done and are very proud of us as well. We took it too them, I felt that we finished off well and we had a great chance at the end there to equalise, but I have got to be very, very proud of the boys.

“I’m just so grateful of the effort they have put in for me.”

On the other hand, Socceroos captain Mat Ryan said, “ For the group, you know extremely proud of what we’ve shown here in the tournament. I guess the senior boys we trying and you know get the younger boys across the opportunities that we have when we come into a tournament like these and the impact that it can have not only on our own lives but you know on our home nation and on the world”.

Mat Ryan and Mathew Leckie also became the first Australians to register 10 appearances at the FIFA World Cup, surpassing Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano.