A controversial penalty decision has helped Colombia to a 3-0 international friendly victory over a much improved Socceroos in New York.
Australia sat deep and defended assuredly for much of Wednesday’s game, largely restricting the world’s 13th ranked team to half chances and pot shots from outside the box.
However, that all changed in the 75th minute, when substitute Callum Elder was adjudged to have brought down Colombian right back Santiago Arias in the penalty area.
Elder’s right arm made contact with Arias, who went to ground as Australia scrambled to get the ball away.
Veteran captain Jamers Rodriguez proceeded to convert the penalty in front of a vocal, 45,000 strong crowd of almost entirely Colombian supporters.
Speaking to Paramount Plus post-game, Socceroos boss Tony Popovic slammed the decision.
“The first goal – we never get that penalty,” Popovic said.
“It’s clear, only Colombia would get that penalty tonight – there’s no way we could get a penalty like that…very disappointed in that decision.””
Returning captain Jackson Irvine was also was critical of the call.
“I haven’t seen the penalty back enough times, but it looks so weak,” Irvine said.
“And to then be chasing the game against a top side, you’re going to be leaving yourself exposed.”
From there, things unravelled further for the Socceroos. The introductions of Martin Boyle and Nestory Irankunda from the bench did little to invigorate the Australian attack as holes began to emerge at the back.
Colombia had its second when Bayern Munich star Luis Diaz sidefooted into an open net after Australian centre-half Milos Degenek and goalkeeper Paul Izzo made a meal of an innocuous, lofted through ball, and then its third when Crystal Palace midfielder Jefferson Lerma poked home from close range in the 93rd minute.
Australia was outplayed late on against Colombia. (Getty Images: Adam Hunger/Soccer Australia)
The defeat is the Socceroos’ third in a row as well as the heaviest of the Popovic era.
While Australia’s back five was impressive for large swathes of the encounter, the green and gold were toothless in attack, managing just two shots and 0.14 expected goals at Citi Field in Queens.
The Socceroos’ best chance came on the stroke of half-time, when Riley McGree stung the palms of Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas from the dead ball.
McGree and Irvine were welcome returns for the Socceroos, starting their first international games for twelve and eight months respectively.
The Socceroos return to North America for next year’s World Cup.
Relive how all the action unfolded in our live blog below.
Key Events
Show all key events4h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 12:58am
Colombia vs Socceroos: Live scoreboard
16m agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 4:50am
Goodbye!
Thanks Henry, it turned out to be a bit of a reality check… – See you next time.
– Mike
Yep, that’s about right, I reckon Mike.
That’s the end of a disappointing international window for the Socceroos.
Either way, thank you for joining us, I’ve had a ball bringing you all the action.
Until next time!
1h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 4:03am
Irvine laments ‘weak’ penalty
Jackson Irvine’s starting return was a big, big plus for the Socceroos tonight.
He was imperious in central midfield, looking like he hadn’t missed an international match, let alone eight months of them.
The game changed when he was withdrawn on the hour mark.
He’s speaking to Paramount Plus.
“Amazing to be back with this team and playing football again,” Irvine tells Paramount Plus.
“I think it has been seven months since I lasted started a game, so to be doing it against a top team was a test for me.
“But it’s another step in my progression, and hopefully I can make some more with my club.”
And he says he is pretty happy with Australia’s overall performance.
“I think the first half was really good – we limited them to very little, a few snap shots from outside the box,” Irvine says.
“Had our own good moments with the ball – probably could’ve progressed the ball into the last third a little better, but the positive signs were really there.”
But, like Popovic, is struggling to comprehend that penalty decision.
“I haven’t seen the penalty back enough times, but it looks so weak,” Irvine says.
“And to then be chasing the game against a top side, you’re going to be leaving yourself exposed.
“It doesn’t quite do a lot of our performance justice.”
1h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 3:53am
Socceroos dominated in New York
Well, against a top-class opponent, that was far from an absolute disaster from the Socceroos.
However, the post-game stats make for pretty bleak reading for Socceroos fans.
- Possession: Colombia 66% – 34% Australia
- Shots: 16 – 2
- Shots on target: 8 – 1
- XG: 2.13 – 0.14
For all Australia’s defensive solidity, those are some damning attacking numbers.
1h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 3:42am
Popovic ‘Only Colombia would get that penalty tonight’
(Getty Images)
Tony Popovic is speaking to Paramount Plus post-game, and he is not happy with the decision to award the penalty against Callum Elder that led to Colombia’s opening goal.
“The first goal – we never get that penalty,” Popovic says.
“It’s clear, only Colombia would get that penalty tonight.
“There’s no way we could get a penalty like that.
“Very disappointed in that decision.”
He goes on to say he is pretty happy with the Socceroos’ overall performance.
“I thought we kept the ball much better, we looked a lot more composed,” Popovic says.
“They were never really a threat, except their shots from outside the box.
“You know, we’re playing against top class players and you can see the respect we have because all their players stayed on the park.”
Popovic is clearly quite emotional about that penalty decision and he says as much to conclude the interview.
“We competed really well tonight. I’m disappointed with that goal we conceded to be honest.
“Look it’s a bit raw at the moment, the emotions are high – certainly not a result we deserved.”
1h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 3:30am
FT: Colombia 3 – 0 Australia
(Getty Images)
It’s a scoreline that feels a touch harsh on the Socceroos.
For so long tonight, Australia’s back five stood strong – but in the end, it’s a convincing, deserved win for Colombia.
The South Americans were dominant in the second half without creating too many clear-cut chances until Callum Elder brought down Santiago Arias in the penalty area.
James Rodriguez did the job for the spot, before Luis Diaz and Davidson Sanchez added two more very late on.
Jackson Irvine’s departure was a turning point for Australia.
The returning captain was imperious for the 60 minutes he was on the pitch and his absence was palpable once substituted.
A disappointing end to 2025 for the Socceroos.
1h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 3:30am
95′ We’re deep into stoppage time
We’re deep into the six minutes of stoppage time in New York.
Colombia goes close to adding a fourth as Milos Degenek gives the ball away in his own penalty area.
The Socceroos manage to get the ball clear.
1h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 3:26am
Colombia makes it three!
Oh dear.
Things are getting a tad messy out there for Australia.
James Rodriguez whips in a tempting, in swinging corner from the right, and Jefferson Lerma rises high to head the ball down.
Davidson Sanchez is on hand to tap the ball in from point blank range.
1h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 3:23am
Colombia goes 2-0 up
Trying to push forward to find an equaliser, Australia is undermanned at the back.
Colombia chips forward a pretty tame through ball and the Socceroos make an absolute meal of it.
Paul Izzo comes, doesn’t get there and Milos Degenek is unable to clear.
Luis Diaz is on hand to side foot a simple one into an open goal.
1h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 3:21am
85′ Colombia still slick in possession
Australia’s substitutes are yet to make any real impact.
The Socceroos are trying to push higher, but Colombia is just too quick and assured in possession.
The South Americans are also pressing very consistently – Australia are unable to string more than a couple passes together once they regain the ball.
1h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 3:14am
78′ Triple change for Australia
The Socceroos are now chasing this game and Tony Popovic wastes no time in adding some attacking flair to the game.
Martin Boyle and Nestory Irankunda enter the fray, as does Paul Okon-Engstler.
Connor Metcalfe, Riley McGree and Aiden O’Neil make way.
1h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 3:12am
RODRIGUEZ SCORES FROM THE SPOT
(Getty Images)
James Rodriguez stands over the ball for what seems like an eternity as the referee makes sure everything is in order on the edge of the penalty area.
Eventually, the whistle is blown and Rodriguez makes no mistake from the spot.
His penalty kick nestles in the bottom left-hand corner of the goal as Paul Izzo guesses the wrong way.
1h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 3:08am
74′ PENALTY FOR COLOMBIA
James Rodriguez lofts a ball into the penalty area, and the Australian defence is scrambling to get it away.
However, Callum Elder instead gets a foot on Santiago Arias.
It’s a clear foul and Colombia has a chance from the spot….
1h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 3:08am
72′ Rodriguez curls one from range
Australia’s back five remain very solid in New York.
Colombia is circulating the ball in the final third, but no clear avenues to goal are presenting themselves.
James Rodriguez receives the ball from a fair way out and curls the ball well over the bar.
2h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 3:03am
68′ Australia gets a foot on the ball
Lewis Miller regains possession at right-wing-back and makes a probing, diagnol run into the centre of the pitch.
He finds Connor Metcalfe, who in turn finds Max Ballard, who is stepping forward from central midfield.
Colombia eventually regains possession deep on their defensive right.
A promising spell of possession for Australia.
Oh, and Callum Elder is on for Kye Rowles at left-wing-back.
2h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 2:58am
60′ Irvine departs
A really promising first hour of football back in green and gold for Jackson Irvine.
The central midfielder jogs off and is replaced by Max Balard.
A like for like swap.
Meanwhile, Yáser Asprilla overhits another cross from the Colombian right.
2h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 2:55am
56′ Diaz has a chance
Australia absorbs about five minutes of Colombian pressure before spring forward on the counter.
Riley McGree and Mo Toure exchange some quick passes on half-way, and for a moment, it looks like Toure might have a free run at the Colombian goal.
However, he doesn’t get too far and Colombia respond with a counter of their own.
The ball makes its way to Luis Diaz, who is dancing menacingly and fashioning a shot inside the penalty area.
The Australian defence does well to get the block the shot.
2h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 2:47am
50′ Toure tries the spectacular
Australia has its first opportunity to fashion a second half shot on goal.
Lewis Miller angles a long throw into the Colombian penalty area, the ball bobbles up and down and sits up nicely for Mo Toure with his back to goal, who treats us to his best Scot McTominay impression.
He makes good contact with his bicycle kick – but it’s well over the bar.
2h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 2:44am
48′ Colombia dictating proceedings early in the second half
The Socceroos are sitting off to begin the second half.
Colombia has a good two minutes of interrupted possession before Lewis Miller gets a foot on the ball deep in his own half.
However, the Socceroos don’t keep the ball for long and Colombia is back in possession.
Yáser Asprilla works a ball into the area but it’s overhit and Australia survives.
2h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 2:40am
46′ We’re back underway in New York
Colombia, running towards the baseball diamond in this second half, get us back underway in New York.
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