Socceroos player ratings: Behich brilliant, Ryan rues mistake against Argentina

Jackson Irvine: 6.5See above. Can you believe he almost ran 13km in this game alone, with 66 sprints? Could not have given more physically in this tournament, and played further up the pitch, a la the second half against Denmark. Walked a tightrope for most of the match after an early yellow card for lunging in on Acuna. Might have lacked the quality touch when needed, but a figure Graham Arnold can keep building this team around.

Keanu Baccus: 6.5Rewarded with a starting spot in the only change to the XI after his superb contribution against Denmark. Sat in deep alongside Mooy and gave Argentina little space between the lines. Lasted a little less than an hour before being replaced as the Socceroos pressed for a response. Another whose reputation has only been enhanced.

Riley McGree: 6

Shifted to the left again after being used there against Denmark in the second half. As expected, limited opportunities to shine with Australia in transition, and might rue not completely tracking Messi for the first goal. Would it have mattered if he did? Maybe not. Given a break after 58 minutes. Top tournament.

Mathew Leckie: 6

The veteran who joined Mat Ryan as Australia’s most capped player at a World Cup. Constantly made runs to make space for others, but understandably was asked to do more work without the ball absorbing Argentina’s pressure in the first hour. Part of a triple change when taken off at 72 minutes. Might be his last World Cup, but what a career if it is.

Mitch Duke: 6Just kept running and running and running. Barely touched the ball – but that was expected – and perhaps no player has exemplified Australia’s World Cup run than the selfless striker. Almost nabbed the ball off Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez, who might have had his own Mat Ryan moment. Finally given a breather with 20 minutes left. Deserves a long sleep.

SubstitutesCraig Goodwin: 7.5Was it his goal? Was it not? Doesn’t matter. Almost looked Australia’s biggest threat after replacing McGree at the hour, and finished a World Cup which started with his goal against France with a deflected effort which gave a country hope. Easily the biggest impact of Arnold’s substitutes.

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Ajdin Hrustic: 6It just felt like this World Cup just came at the wrong time, didn’t it? Australia’s best player during the arduous qualification, was always racing the clock against injury to be primed for this and only got the last half hour in place of Baccus. Had a couple of neat touches, and curled one effort just wide inside the last 10 minutes which would have sent a country into meltdown.

Jamie Maclaren: 5

Frontman given limited time this tournament. Had one half opening when awkward ball fell to him in box, but couldn’t get it under control.

Garang Kuol: 5

It could have been. The youngest player to feature in a World Cup knockout match since Pele, the Premier League-bound teenager had a moment which had a nation on its feet. But on the spin, his 97th-minute shot was smothered to safety by Martinez, almost the last kick of the game. Struggled to get in the match otherwise, playing more centrally than usual after climbing off the bench in the 72nd minute. A star for many years to come.

Fran Karacic: 5

Fresh legs for Degenek down the right in the second half and understandably was caught a little out of position in the final manic moments as Australia threw bodies forward. Solid.

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