Socceroos skipper Mathew Ryan’s shocking mistake to gift Argentina second goal in World Cup clash

Socceroos fans have been at a loss for skipper Mathew Ryan after a costly mistake by the Australian goalkeeper gifted Argentine winger Julian Alvarez the easiest goal during their round of 16 clash.

Already down 1-0, Ryan collected the ball in the box and a terrible first touch without urgency was followed by a fiendish attempt to dribble past Rodrigo De Paul.

It didn’t go well, as the Atlético Madrid midfielder easily forced him to lose possession, and Álvarez soothed himself by passing the ball to Ryan in a shocking mistake that could well cost Australia any chance of getting back into the game.

Often known throughout his career as a libero-style goalkeeper who is aggressive with his distribution from behind, it certainly hasn’t gone well for Ryan on this one, and the fans were willing.

‘You can’t give away goals like that,’ wrote one, while another began his tweet with: ‘MAT RYAN WHAT DID YOU DO?’

Another callously suggested they were suffering from PTSD trying to watch Ryan save something, while the word ‘stupid’ was highlighted by the angry Australian fans who reacted to the goal.

Jackson Irvine (left) and Kye Rowles (right) console a devastated Mat Ryan (centre) after the loss to Argentina, in which the latter’s mistake sadly cost the team a goal.

Ryan looked utterly devastated after the game, with the captain comforted by his teammates who put an arm around him as he walked off the pitch.

Trainer Graham Arnold had nothing but praise for his skipper despite the serious mistake.

“Maty has been a fantastic captain, a fantastic kid, a fantastic player,” he said in defense of Ryan.

Everyone makes mistakes and you have to learn from them, overcome them and move on. I’m sure Maty will.

Mat Ryan (purple) watches as Argentina winger Julian Alvarez sends the ball into the net after a serious goal error

Ryan seemed to have the weight of the world on his shoulders after the game, and it was hard for him to put into words how broken he was.

“There’s a big part of me that’s proud of the group and the journey we’ve been on, but obviously there’s a lot of pain from my involvement,” she said. SBS after the game about his mistake that led to Álvarez’s goal.

The captain then explained that some tactical approaches from both sides had an impact on his decision-making, sensationally admitting that he probably should have tried for a foul after contact just before goal.

A dejected Mathew Ryan was unable to contain his emotions after the game, holding a ball to his face as he watched the game.

Ryan dried his face with a towel and was also comforted by his teammates on the field after the loss.

Ryan thanks the Socceroos fans at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan near Doha after the match.

“In the buildup to the game, the coaching staff asked us a lot at the back to play … and I think we were able to bring that into play,” Ryan said.

“However, in the second half, after they (Argentina) regrouped… maybe they came in a little stronger and tactically they made a change.

They grabbed me from behind and it hurts. In retrospect, I have to learn from it.

“Probably (should have) put his foot in it, but that’s part of modern goalkeeping (playing the ball). Maybe he could have tried to milk the free kick after the collision as well, but those are lessons you have to learn from. Ryan said, dejected.

Ryan will now return to Denmark to continue his Super League season with FC Copenhagen, where he will continue to face a barrage of childish and political shenanigans from teammate and fellow goalkeeper Kamil Grabara, who nailed Ryan’s boot for his mistake in social networks After the match.