The Socceroos did their best to put up a fight against Argentina in their Round of 16 match at the 2022 World Cup on Sunday (AEDT).
Despite losing 2-1, Australia came within inches of equalising in the last minute and even had the great Lionel Messi on edge at times.
The legendary Argentine, chasing his first World Cup crown in likely his last appearance at the tournament, opened the scoring in superb fashion just moments after clashing with Socceroos left-back Aziz Behich.
The sideline scuffle certainly had some passion from both sides and Behich has since revealed that it didn't really click that the player he was battling with was Messi.
”He pushed me once the ball was out and I’ve always been throughout my career that, when I’m on that pitch I kind of see black,” Behich said.
"I don’t see an opponent or a name or anything like that. I’m out there to help my team win and I do whatever I can for that to happen. There’s obviously respect there for the opponent and that, but it’s just a heat of the moment thing.
"It ended up being face-to-face, no words were exchanged, nothing violent or anything like that but one of his teammates tried to tell me not to speak to him or something.
"But it was nothing to over-exaggerate...it was just a heat of the moment thing."
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Behich very nearly stole the show against Argentina after he went on a brilliant run forward in the dying minutes that saw him skip past numerous players and work his way into the box.
Just before taking his shot, defender Lisandro Martinez did just enough to block Behich's effort as Behich was left to dream about what could have been.
"I didn’t feel a touch or anything to go down but even if I did and wanted to the speed I was going at I would have gone down regardless," he said.
"It was an unlucky one obviously, finding myself in there again. I’ve done it a couple of times this campaign but it wasn’t to be.
"I’ve got past the last guy I actually opened my body and said, ‘As long as I hit the target here, it’s in’, and looking back at the video the keeper’s actually gone the wrong way as well as I was taking the shot as well.
"It was a great tackle, pretty much like a Harry Souttar tackle, but this time it was on us. It would have been great, a special moment for our country and our team but it wasn’t to be."
All of Australia just held its collective breath - THIS block was the only thing that could stop a MESMERISING run from Aziz Behich! 😱😱😱
— SBS Sport (@SBSSportau) December 3, 2022
Watch Argentina v Australia right now on @SBS and @SBSOnDemand! 🇦🇷 🇦🇺
▶: https://t.co/hcldigIVXi#WeAllSpeakFootball #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/dDxxmno5fA
Behich started all four matches for the Socceroos in Qatar and ended up playing every minute as Australia reached the Round of 16 for just the second time in their history.
While they fell short of a maiden quarterfinals appearances, the team leave Qatar with their heads held high.
"I’m proud of this group and what we achieved at this World Cup and this whole campaign realy and this whole past four years and hopefully this is a step forward for Australian football," Behich said.
