Venezuela 1-0 Australia: men’s international football friendly – as it happened

4.38am GMT Match report Thanks a lot for following along for what was an admittedly underwhelming performance from the Socceroos against Venezuela. Hope to catch you again on Wednesday as Australia take on Colombia needing a big improvement if they are to break their run of back-to-back defeats. Joey Lynch is in Houston and his report of the match has now landed. Related: Passive Socceroos problems exposed in disappointing defeat to Venezuela Updated at 5.24am GMT 4.36am GMT The match stats are damning for the Socceroos as the side heading to the 2026 World Cup was largely outplayed by a Venezuela outfit already planning for the next global tournament four years later. Possession: 65.5-35.5% Passes: 698-363 Shots: 10-9 Shots on target: 5-4 Successful final third passes: 111-48 4.26am GMT Full-time: Venezuela 1-0 Australia The Socceroos are unable to salvage a draw despite pressing hard in the dying stages as Jesús Ramírez’s goal in the 38th minute is enough to earn Venezuela a 1-0 victory in Houston. Back-to-back defeats are always a worry, but the lack of urgency as much as a cutting edge should be the bigger concern for Socceroos coach Tony Popovic. ⏹️ Defeat in Houston.#VENvAUS #Socceroos #ForeverGolden pic.twitter.com/dhU3XeRHqQ— CommBank Socceroos (@Socceroos) November 15, 2025 Updated at 4.28am GMT 4.24am GMT 91 mins: Three minutes of added time and finally the Socceroos have woken up. Lewis Miller wins a free kick within range and Al Hassan Toure gets a shot away shortly after. Hopefully Tony Popovic can explain why his side have waited so long too play like this, because it suddenly looks like being too little, too late for the Socceroos. 4.22am GMT 89 mins: Riley McGree wins a free kick on the edge of the box – he has been one of few Socceroos to impress in this game. Callum Elder tries to sneak the free kick under the wall but the contact isn’t quite clean enough. 4.21am GMT 86 mins: The Socceroos have looked most dangerous from their aerial threat. A Martin Boyle cross is bang on the money but Venezuela clear from the scramble in the six-yard box. 4.20am GMT 83 mins: The Socceroos have finally been sparked into life. They have made a habit of pressing for late goals under Tony Popovic and are now finding a way into more dangerous areas without quite testing Venezuela goalkeeper José Contreras. 4.18am GMT 79 mins: More changes for the Socceroos as Al Hassan Toure becomes the fourth debutant of the game and Jackson Irvine returns from injury. Nestory Irankunda and Paul Okon-Engstler make way. 78' | Another debutant onto the pitch, congratulations to Al Hassan Toure! 🫡⬇️ Nestory Irankunda, Paul Okon-Engstler⬆️ Al Hassan Toure, Jackson Irvine🇻🇪 1-0 🇦🇺#VENvAUS #Socceroos #ForeverGolden— CommBank Socceroos (@Socceroos) November 15, 2025 4.12am GMT 77 mins: Telasco Segovia fires a shot away for Venezuela but Patrick Beach has it covered. 4.08am GMT 75 mins: Venezuela are comfortable knocking the ball around the back under little pressure from the Socceroos. Strange tactics from Tony Popovic’s side as they trail 1-0. 4.05am GMT 72 mins: Telasco Segovia earns Venezuela’s first yellow card of the game for a late challenge on Riley McGree. 4.04am GMT 70 mins: Socceroos shot on target! That’s just the second of the game as Riley McGree tries his luck from outside the box. He didn’t quite get onto it properly but José Contreras is still forced into a diving save. 4.02am GMT 68 mins: Kai Trewin slips over as Venezuela pounce on an open defence line. It is left to Milos Degenek to clear the danger. 4.02am GMT 66 mins: Riley McGree is just making his way back from injury and pays the price for a heavy touch moments after coming on. The half-hearted chance goes begging. 4.00am GMT 66 mins: A pair of substitutions as Australia look for a creative spark. Riley McGree is a welcome addition while Martin Boyle also enters the game. Mo Toure and Connor Metcalfe are both done for the day. 66' | 3rd and 4th changes of the evening 🔋⬇️ Mo Toure, Connor Metcalfe⬆️ Martin Boyle, Riley McGree🇻🇪 1-0 🇦🇺#VENvAUS #Socceroos #ForeverGolden— CommBank Socceroos (@Socceroos) November 15, 2025 3.58am GMT 64 mins: Irankunda gathers the ball in traffic and charges towards the penalty box. A timely tackle hands Australia a free kick in a dangerous area and Callum Elder sends in a tasty cross. A deflection gives Australia a corner, and then another, but they can’t make any more of the rare foray forward. 3.56am GMT 62 mins: In a sign of how much of this game has played out, Australia make the running down the right side but Irankunda back heels the ball to Miller when his teammate was already well into an overlap. 3.54am GMT 59 mins: Venezuela having little trouble maintaining possession as the clock closes in on the hour mark with the Socceroos lacking any real urgency. 3.51am GMT 56 mins: The Socceroos can’t find an extended phase of possession – let alone threaten to level the scores. More changes must be coming soon if only to try to add a spark. 3.47am GMT 54 mins: Mendoza continues to cause all sorts of problems around the edge of the box. The layoff gives Echenique time to squeeze through the Socceroos defensive line but a heavy touch allows Beach to burst off his line. 3.45am GMT 52 mins: Venezuela break clear down the right and almost double their lead. Gleiker Mendoza puts the ball into the box but Alessandro Milani scuffs his shot slightly and Patrick Beach keeps him out. 3.43am GMT 50 mins: Kai Trewin very nearly scores on his international debut as the only player to properly read the ball coming in from a corner. But the 24-year-old gets over the free header and angles it down to give Venezuela keeper José Contreras time to react. 3.41am GMT 48 mins: Tony Popovic has made one change to the Socceroos XI with Callum Elder coming on for his second cap while Craig Goodwin steps aside. That was an underwhelming 45 minutes from the Socceroos stalwart and he was perhaps found wanting when failing to track back ahead of Venezuela’s opening goal. 46' | Welcome back Callum Elder! He returns for his 2nd #Socceroos cap after first appearing in September 2021 👏⬇️ Craig Goodwin⬆️ Callum Elder 🇻🇪 1-0 🇦🇺#VENvAUS #Socceroos #ForeverGolden— CommBank Socceroos (@Socceroos) November 15, 2025 Updated at 3.41am GMT 3.39am GMT 46 mins: Venezuela get the second half under way while holding a narrow 1-0 lead. And almost immediately, goalkeeper Patrick Beach is forced into a diving save to deny a second goal. 3.28am GMT Venezuela made all the running across the first half and the match stats more than back that up. La Vinotinto lead the Socceroos in the following: Possession: 67-33% Passes: 344-167 Shots: 6-3 Shots on target: 4-1 Successful final third passes: 40-20 3.25am GMT There were few highlights for the Socceroos across a disappointing first half with debutant goalkeeper Patrick Beach’s reflex save in the 17th minute about as good as it got. Pat Beach just 17 minutes into his international debut 🚫An insane reaction save from just a few yards out to keep the scores locked 🔒🎥 @10FootballAU #VENvAUS #Socceroos #ForeverGolden pic.twitter.com/PySIUheaut— CommBank Socceroos (@Socceroos) November 15, 2025 3.22am GMT Half-time: Venezuela 1-0 Australia A difficult first half for the Socceroos ends with the one-goal deficit about as much as they could hope for. After a bright start and a pair of opportunities for Mo Toure, Venezuela took command and tested debutant goalkeeper Patrick Beach. Jesús Ramírez opened the scoring with a tap-in in the 38th minute while Ender Echenique claimed the assist and has been a constant threat for Venezuela. Expect a rocket from Tony Popovic and for Australia to come out breathing fire in the second half. They will need to be. ⏸️ Trailing at the break.#VENvAUS #Socceroos #ForeverGolden pic.twitter.com/gqfWxr2Den— CommBank Socceroos (@Socceroos) November 15, 2025 Updated at 3.36am GMT 3.18am GMT 45 mins: Three minutes of added time after Luís Balbo and Jason Geria needed to be assessed at various stage across the first half. The Socceroos are holding out for half-time. 3.16am GMT 43 mins: A first substitution for the Socceroos but it is unlikely to be the gamechanger they need right now. Jason Geria is off with a hamstring concern as Cam Burgess replaces him in defence. 43' | Tony Popovic is forced into an early change⬇️ Jason Geria⬆️ Cam Burgess🇻🇪 1-0 🇦🇺#VENvAUS #Socceroos #ForeverGolden— CommBank Socceroos (@Socceroos) November 15, 2025 3.15am GMT 42 mins: Little is going right for the Socceroos with Jason Geria forced from the field after grabbing at the back of his leg. The defender doesn’t look too confident that he can carry on. 3.14am GMT 40 mins: The Socceroos will need to find a more positive approach as they chase the game after what has been a most underwhelming opening half thus far. 3.12am GMT GOAL! Venezuela 1-0 Australia (Ramírez '38) A crossfield pass opens up the Socceroos defence as Ender Echenique sneaks behind on the right flank. The Venezuela attacker carries the ball to the six-yard box where a simple pass picks out Jesús Ramírez waiting patiently with Socceroos scrambling around him. That was all too easy. 3.10am GMT 37 mins: Nestory Irankunda comes under attention from the Venezuela players after a sneaky late tackle. There wasn’t much in it but the referee waves the first yellow card of the game towards the Australia teenager. Updated at 3.30am GMT 3.09am GMT 35 mins: Australia continue to stand back and wait for Venezuela to make their way forward in what is presumably a sign of how Popovic will want to defend when the side returns to North America next year. 3.06am GMT 32 mins: Ender Echenique eases his way through the Socceroos defence but is pushed wide by a desperate Jason Geria. The shot across the body is collected by a diving Patrick Beach. 3.04am GMT 30 mins: Luís Balbo gives in to the inevitable and is forced out of the game. Alessandro Milani joins the action. ⏱️ 30’ - Cambio en Venezuela:⬆️ Alessandro Milani.⬇️ Luis Balbo. Venezuela 0-0 Australia. 📺 @canal_televen📻 @hotsports941#SiempreVinotinto pic.twitter.com/kb723eueVh— La Vinotinto (@SeleVinotinto) November 15, 2025 Updated at 3.05am GMT 3.03am GMT 28 mins: Gleiker Mendoza shoots from distance and beats the Socceroos keeper but the ball eases wide of the far post. Beach celebrates with the defence as Australia get a touch on the ball on the way through but somehow avoid giving away a corner. 3.01am GMT 26 mins: The Socceroos have allowed Venezuela to do as they please across their defensive line but finally get the call to press. Their are almost immediate rewards as a turnover inside the penalty box presents Irankunda and then Goodwin with opportunities to shoot until the latter’s cross sails high and wide. 2.57am GMT 24 mins: Luís Balbo wins the battle to continue despite the bench calling for him to exit the field. A chip over the defence quickly opens the Socceroos but Beach bursts off his line to collect on the first bounce. Dare I say it has been an assured debut. 2.55am GMT 21 mins: Luís Balbo is still being troubled after coming off second best in an early collision with Lewis Miller. Balbo’s debut looks set for an early ending but he remains convinced that he can play on. 2.54am GMT 18 mins: Venezuela continue to share the ball around the top of the penalty box but the Australians have set up camp to keep any danger at distance. 2.50am GMT 16 mins: Incredible reflex save from Beach shows why he has been handed an Australia debut. Jesús Ramírez will be wondering how he has not scored from a pinpoint cross. 2.48am GMT 12 mins: Venezuela get a first shot away from distance but Australia debutant Patrick Beach collects calmly. The gloveman has been in superb form for his club side Melbourne City to make his claim for a first international cap. 2.43am GMT 9 mins: Venezuela finally get some time on the ball and target their own left wing. Jason Geria comfortably covers that side with Lewis Miller adding valuable support. 2.41am GMT 7 mins: The Socceroos are making all the attacking as their front three continues to find space on either flank. Nestory Irankunda stands alone at the top of the penalty box but just as the teenager is about to unleash a rocket a Venezuela defender intervenes. Lewis Miller perhaps fortunate to avoid a caution in the build up. 2.38am GMT 5 mins: Toure gets another shot away after shrugging off the Venezuela defender. The powerful strike would have tested the keeper Contreras but it crashes into the side netting. 2.37am GMT 3 mins: Mo Toure brings the first save of the game with a clever run and sharp shot. José Contreras is forced to make an early save. 2.36am GMT 1 min: A cagey opening with both sides probing and prodding with young lineups hoping to force their way into becoming regulars. 2.32am GMT Kickoff Peeeeeeep! The Socceroos have first rights with the ball as the international friendly against Venezuela gets under way in Houston. 2.27am GMT The players are out on the pitch at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston with Advance Australia Fair the first national anthem to sound out. Venezuela’s Gloria al Bravo Pueblo – Glory to the Brave People – is up now. Updated at 3.00am GMT 2.09am GMT This is the second meeting been Venezuela and Australia – but the first in more than 21 years – after the sides played out a 1-1 draw in a friendly in February 2004. Paul Agostino opened the scoring for the Socceroos, while Juan Arango equalised for Venezuela in the dying stages. Here is some suitably grainy footage of the game from a potentially unreliable source. 1.54am GMT Venezuela XI La Vinotinto: José Contreras (capt, gk), Teo Quintero, Nahuel Ferraresi, Luís Balbo, Ronald Hernández, Telasco Segovia, Dani Pereira, Cristian Cásseres Jr, Jesús Ramírez, Gleiker Mendoza, Ender Echenique. 📋 𝐗𝐈 𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎Esta es la formación del seleccionador nacional, Fernando Aristeguieta, para enfrentar a Australia. #SiempreVinotinto 🇻🇪 pic.twitter.com/wE9tupcI3P— La Vinotinto (@SeleVinotinto) November 15, 2025 Updated at 2.46am GMT 1.51am GMT Australia XI Socceroos: Patrick Beach (gk), Lewis Miller, Jason Geria, Milos Degenek (capt), Kai Trewin, Craig Goodwin, Aiden O’Neill, Paul Okon-Engstler, Connor Metcalfe, Nestory Irankunda, Mohamed Toure. Beach, Trewin and Okon-Engstler make their senior debuts. Degenek takes the captain’s armband. The budding partnership between Irankunda and Toure is given more time to blossom. 📋 Here is how the CommBank #Socceroos line up against Venezuela.🧢 Patrick Beach, Paul Okon-Engstler and Kai Trewin are set to make their senior debuts.🇻🇪 v 🇦🇺 - 15.11.25, 1:30pm AEDT📱💻📺: 10, Paramount+#ForeverGolden pic.twitter.com/L4NS0qqloq— CommBank Socceroos (@Socceroos) November 15, 2025 1.45am GMT Preamble Hello and welcome to live coverage of the international football friendly between Venezuela and Australia at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston. The Socceroos continue to ramp up their preparations for the 2026 World Cup to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico with a pair of friendlies against South American opponents. The first is against a rebuilding La Vinotinto before facing fellow World Cup qualifiers Colombia on Wednesday (Australia time). The back-to-back matches against opposition from the same region is all part of coach Tony Popovic’s grand plan to prepare for different strategies and styles that his side might face in the group stage – or beyond – at next year’s tournament. Australia have laid a strong foundation since Popovic took the reins and were one of the first sides to book their place in the showpiece event, though their 12-match unbeaten run was snapped in the last international window. A 2-1 defeat to the US followed an edgy 1-0 win over Canada as Popovic and the Socceroos continue to test themselves against challenging opponents rather than go all in on their hopes to rise up the rankings and snatch a spot in pot 2 of the World Cup draw next month. The Socceroos are ranked No 25 in the world and within reach of three teams ahead of them including South Korea in 22nd place. Venezuela are ranked 50th in the world after a 1-0 loss to Argentina last month. La Vinotinto finished eighth in CONMEBOL qualifying to miss out on a World Cup play-off spot when beaten by Colombia in the last group game at the same time as Bolivia stunned Brazil to leap over them in the standings. Venezuela will have to wait at least another four years to qualify for a first World Cup but are already preparing for the future with a new-look squad filled with emerging talent to take on the Socceroos. Kick off in Houston is 8.30pm local / 1.30pm AEDT. I’ll be back shortly with the line-ups. But now is the time to hit me up with questions, thoughts and predictions – shoot me an email, or find me on X @martinpegan and Bluesky @martinpegan.bsky.social. Let’s get into it! Houston, we have a matchday! 🚀🆚: Venezuela 🇻🇪⏰: 1:30pm AEDT🏟️: Shell Energy Stadium📱💻📺: 10, 10 Streaming, Paramount+#VENvAUS #Socceroos #ForeverGolden pic.twitter.com/sxxccdnKXf— CommBank Socceroos (@Socceroos) November 14, 2025