Passes in opposition half \u2013 182-47 in favour of Canada<\/a> \u2013 tell much of the story, while the hosts have had seven shots to Australia\u2019s one as well as the only two attempts on target.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Half-time: Canada 0-0 Australia<\/p>\n A hugely impressive half from Canada despite being unable to find a way through Australia\u2019s robust defence. The hosts certainly tested their coach\u2019s theory that the Socceroos\u2019 defence is \u201cstingy\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 45 mins: Superb defence from Kye Rowles saves Australia<\/a> \u2013 yet again. Buchanan finds space down the right and carries the ball at pace into the penalty box but the Socceroos defender twice gets body on Buchanan to prevent the clear shot. Canada keep pressing with chances off the corner. Half-time can\u2019t come soon enough for the Socceroos.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.32 EDT<\/p>\n 43 mins: Tajon Buchanan shows off his pace after Jonathan David releases the Villarreal forward at the edge of the box. Buchanan takes the shot early but can\u2019t get enough behind it as Paul Izzo dives to his right to comfortably collect.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 41 mins: The tension is building as the number of late challenges grows. Canada defender Derek Cornelius and Australia<\/a> forward Mo Toure earn the first yellow cards.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 39 mins: Tajon Buchanan gets away another volley and strikes it more sweetly this time. But again it is blocked by Kye Rowles on the edge of the six-yard box. The duo are back at it moments later as a cross from the left has them competing for a the ball in the air. Both get a touch on it but Buchanan is judged to have got the last feather on it before he dribbles out for a throw-in.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 37 mins: The Canada press continues to have Australia<\/a> on the ropes. The Socceroos\u2019 misplaced passes from defence into the midfield continue but that is as much on the hosts as the visitors.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 35 mins: Ismael Kone bustles his way through the Socceroos defence and into the box. Alessandro Circati and Kye Rowles close in from either side but it takes a desperate lunge from the latter to take the danger away from Kone\u2019s feet. The ball trickles in slow motion toward the bottom corner of the net as Paul Izzo scrambles back and dives to clear it away with his right hand. That was very nearly something from nothing from Kone!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 33 mins: Australia<\/a> are unable to cross the halfway line for more than a brief moment as the midfield struggles to connect with the defence, let alone between themselves. A long throw into the Canada box is allowed to bounce but again the Socceroos centre-backs hold firm.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 31 mins: Tajon Buchanan launches into a first-time volley from the edge of the box. The mis-hit shot almost scoops the ball over Paul Izzo\u2019s head \u2013 the Socceroos keeper is a few steps off his line \u2013 but there is not quite enough power to clear the last line.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 29 mins: Canada<\/a> attacker Cyle Larin leaps highest and gets his head to a Canada cross but gets over the top of it and it pops in Paul Izzo\u2019s hands. A missed opportunity, but the danger is growing.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 27 mins: Canada<\/a> continue to pass the ball around the final third without testing the Socceroos defence which is more than comfortable with speed taken out of the game.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 25 mins: Canada<\/a> settle better after the long break to assess Waterman \u2013 who is continuing, by the way \u2013 as the hosts take control with a long period of possession.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 23 mins: The players on both sides take time to warm back into the game after Joel Waterman needed some attention. Nathan Saliba wakes everyone up with a long-range shot. There is plenty of power in the strike but it sails wide.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 19 mins: A moment of calm for everyone but Canada<\/a> defender Joel Waterman who appears to be winded and will need some attention.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.05 EDT<\/p>\n 17 mins: A corner for Australia<\/a> but Nestory Irankunda sends the cross high and wide over the heads of the players in the box and out for a throw-in on the opposite side.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 15 mins: End-to-end attacking football is just what we\u2019re after. Tajon Buchanan remains a huge threat and looks dangerous whenever he has the ball at his feet. But this time he takes it too close to Socceroos keeper Paul Izzo and his deft cross is blocked. At the other end, Mo Toure gets behind the Canada<\/a> defence but elects to tap a shot with the outside of his right boot when a left foot would have been more likely to test keeper Maxime Crepeau.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 13 mins: Nestory Irankunda dazzles down the left and cutback finds Max Balard but the skewed shot is blocked before it tests the keeper. Nathan Saliba\u2019s volley at the other end is struck much cleaner but is wide of Paul Izzo\u2019s near post.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 11 mins: Jacob Italiano enters the attacking half as he looks to impress on his Socceroos debut. The young right-back goes to ground under little contact from Canada<\/a> defender Richie Laryea and is left with a firm verbal reminder that he will be expected to keep his feet better at this level.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.56 EDT<\/p>\n 9 mins: Canada are awarded a free kick as Circati\u2019s challenge is a little too robust. The long cross almost picks out David as Australia<\/a> hold their high line a touch too long.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 7 mins: Nestory Irankunda is involved for the first time down the right for the Socceroos. The teenage sensation almost finds a way through and into the penalty box but with the gap closing quickly he is forced to pass backwards. Good to see the young gun putting a premium on holding onto the ball though.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 5 mins: Canada lock the ball forward to pile the pressure on Australia<\/a>. The hosts have formidable attacking threats but the Socceroos defence looks more comfortable as the game slows down.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 3 mins: Tajon Buchanan is lively early and has no trouble getting around a tumbling Milos Degenek on his way into the box. The touch is a little heavy and gives Alessandro Circati time to dive in. Buchanan goes to ground and there are claims for a penalty, but he was searching for it under next to no contact. That was risky from Circati, though, and warning signs for Australia<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 1 min: A promising start for the hosts but Cam Burgess heads a tricky cross clear. A corner for Canada<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Kickoff<\/p>\n Peeeeeeep! Socceroos attacker Mohamed Toure passes backward to begin the clash with Canada<\/a> at Stade Saputo in Montreal. An important match for both sides as they test themselves against quality opposition.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The national anthems are complete and there was plenty of passion coming from the stands in Montreal during the rendition of O Canada<\/a>. We\u2019re about to get under way \u2026<\/p>\n The Socceroos prepare to face Canada in Montreal. Photograph: Minas Panagiotakis\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.53 EDT<\/p>\n Canada coach Jesse Marsch labelled the Socceroos as \u201cstingy\u201d during the build up to this friendly. Australia<\/a> are yet to lose since Popovic took over from Graham Arnold in September, with the Socceroos sealing qualification for the 2026 World Cup as part of their 10-match unbeaten run. The Socceroos have scored 20 goals and conceded just seven across those matches, and the team have won their past six. Head coach Tony Popovic was wearing that label as a badge of honour on the day before the game.<\/p>\n I take that as a compliment. I could say the same about them, when you look at their recent results and how they defend as a unit.<\/p>\n We\u2019re playing a team in very good form. When you look at their list and see where they all play throughout the world, you see they\u2019re formidable individuals, and they\u2019re forming a team that\u2019s picking up very good results. The last two against Wales and Romania in Europe were clean sheets, two very good performances.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic explains the reasons for Jacob Italiano\u2019s debut, as well as his thinking behind selecting Paul Izzo between the posts while Mat Ryan takes a seat among the substitutes.<\/p>\n Italiano comes in, so a special night obviously for him and his family. I\u2019m sure they\u2019ll be very excited watching. He\u2019s come in and done very well in training, settled in very quickly, so I thought he deserved an opportunity.<\/p>\n The rest pretty much remains the same. Ale\u2019s [Circati] captain again, which is I think wonderful for him. It\u2019s his birthday today. A nice one for the young man. I just want to see whether he can keep growing in that leadership role.<\/p>\n I think the last camp with Maty not there, it was either Paul or Joe Gauci playing. I just wanted Paul to have a sense of, \u2018you\u2019re playing this time with Maty Ryan here\u2019, and I think that\u2019s a little bit different psychologically.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s see how he handles that, but I just feel he deserves another opportunity to show us what he can do \u2013 away from home, tough opponent, tough conditions, and I really want to see how he handles that.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Australia XI<\/p>\n Socceroos: Paul Izzo (gk), Jacob Italiano, Alessandro Circati (capt), Milos Degenek, Cam Burgess, Kye Rowles, Aiden O\u2019Neill, Max Balard, Connor Metcalfe, Nestory Irankunda, Mo Toure.<\/p>\n Alessandro Circati take the captain\u2019s armband for a second time in just his eighth international while Paul Izzo is preferred between the posts even with Socceroos stalwart Mat Ryan in the squad. Jacob Italiano is handed a surprise debut at right back after impressing in the Austrian Bundesliga.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Canada XI<\/p>\n Les Rouges: Maxime Crepeau (gk), Richie Laryea, Derek Cornelius, Joel Waterman, Niko Sigur, Nathan Saliba, Ismael Kone, Ali Ahmed, Tajon Buchanan, Jonathan David (capt), Cyle Larin.<\/p>\n Jonathan David leads Canada<\/a> and will be a key to their hopes while Maxime Crepeau is preferred in goal and Joel Waterman steps into the defence. There is plenty of firepower in the lineup, especially with the Juventus striker leading the line, despite the ongoing absence of full-back Alphonso Davies due to a serious knee injury.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Preamble Bonjour! Hello and welcome to live coverage of the international football friendly between Canada and Australia<\/a> at Stade Saputo in Montreal. The Socceroos and Les Rouges are ramping up their preparations for the 2026 World Cup which Canada will of course co-host alongside the United States and Mexico, with a clash against a most evenly-matched opponent.<\/p>\n Australia are ranked No 25 in the world as they have gone on a 10-match unbeaten run since head coach Tony Popovic took charge, and have continued to impress even after qualifying for the showpiece event next year. The Socceroos most recently defeated New Zealand in the Soccer Ashes with a 3-1 and 1-0 victory as young guns Nestory Irankunda and Mo Toure caught fire, and Max Balard scored a match-winner on debut.<\/p>\n Canada sit only one spot behind today\u2019s opponents in the rankings in 26th place, while only conceding twice in their past seven matches \u2013 though they have lost a couple of penalty shootouts in that stretch against Ivory Coast in a friendly and to Guatemala in the Gold Cup. Les Rouges enter this match following a 3-0 win over Romania and a 1-0 victory over Wales.<\/p>\n This is the first meeting between the teams since the Socceroos beat Canada 3-0 at Craven Cottage in London in October 2013.<\/p>\n Kick off in Montreal is 7.40pm local \/ 10.40am AEDT. I\u2019ll be back shortly with the line-ups and team news. But now is the time to hit me up with questions, thoughts and predictions \u2013 shoot me an email<\/a>, or find me on X @martinpegan<\/a> and Bluesky @martinpegan.bsky.social<\/a>. Let\u2019s get into it!<\/p>\n![\"Martin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Martin_Pegan.png\")
Martin Pegan<\/p>\n