Australia 1-0 New Zealand: Debutant Balard scores late winner against rivals
Australia fans were made to wait until the 87th minute to celebrate against New Zealand as Max Balard secured victory over their rivals.
Max Balard scored an 87th-minute winner on debut for Australia as they defeated New Zealand 1-0 at GIO Stadium Canberra.
New Zealand looked more likely to score a late goal in the friendly, accumulating 0.56 expected goals (xG) to Australia's 0.27, but the Socceroos rallied at the death to the delight of the home fans.
It was an end-to-end start in Canberra with Jordan Bos' deflected cross rattling the post before Sarpreet Singh and Chris Wood missed good chances for the visitors inside the opening 20 minutes.
Both teams then went close in the final minutes of the first half. Connor Metcalfe's powerful strike was saved comfortably by Max Crocombe, while Paul Izzo, another Australian debutant, denied Wood with a smart stop low to his right.
Michael Boxall then had a great chance to break the deadlock for New Zealand just before the hour-mark, but Izzo was on hand once again to save the defender's effort from close range.
Australia's chance of victory looked all but over when Nestory Irankunda headed over the bar in the 82nd minute, but Balard showed great composure in the box to take a touch before slotting the ball into the bottom-right corner just two minutes after coming off the bench.
Data Debrief: Australia continue their Canberra form
Australia were last kept goalless in a men's international in Canberra during a 0-1 loss to Kuwait in March 2009. Indeed, that was also the last time they conceded a goal in the national capital.
It was also a positive display from left wing-back Bos. He made the third-most passes in the final third for his side (nine), along with the most successful dribbles (three) and duels won (12) in the whole match.
His 12 duels won is his most in a game for Australia since January 28, 2024 against Indonesia (11), meaning he has set a new career best for the Socceroos.
