They faced up to the number two ranked country in the world and turned in their best performance for some time despite being an understrength squad facing a full-strength Argentinean side.

Mark Bresciano had the two best chances for the Socceroos from two fabulous free kicks that rattled the Argentineans who were lucky to escape with a clean sheet. Just a hair’s breadth kept the ball out the net.

But the star of the show was 20 year old Argentinean Leo Messi. He dazzled the 70,000 crowd with his sensational skills and visionary passes.

He almost got on the scoresheet early on with a blistering long-range effort after skipping through midfield and creating space for himself before unleashing a screamer at the goal that was only denied by the woodwork.

He was always in the thick of the action, twice forcing Schwarzer to dive bravely at his feet, and twice having decent calls for a penalty denied when he was brought down in the box by the Australian defence.

But it was Martin Demichelis who was to score the only goal of the game just four minutes into the second half when the Australia defence were caught napping at a freekick.

Messi flighted a lovely ball into the box which found the Bayern Munich defender unmarked in clear space and his header powered past Schwarzer for the goal.

Former Sydney star, now Sheffield United winger Dave Carney was particularly impressive for the home side while Josh Kennedy enhanced his reputation as a player for the future with an enterprising display.

Archie Thompson created the first opening for the hosts, deceiving his marker before being brought down by Gabriel Milito just outside the box.

From the resultant free-kick, the ball rebounded its way to an unattended Bresciano. His shot forced a desperate clearance from Demichelis, which fortunately found the Argentinian keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri rather than the back of the net.

Kennedy was proving a handful for the Argentinian defence, and in the 11th minute, the tall striker headed over the bar from a corner.

Messi was causing headaches as well, dashing clear on goal, only for Carney to intervene with a tackle. From the corner, Milito managed to shoot over, when it seemed easier to tap into the net.

Messi again found space on 16 minutes, but his 25-yard shot struck the left upright.

It was an intriguing mix of styles, as Australia powered forward while the Argentinians passed their way up and down the pitch.

Australia’s best chance of the game came in middle of the first half when Bresciano took a free kick from 30 yards out and fired off a fierce shot that looked goalbound.

It just clipped the inside of the bar and came back onto the helpless ‘keeper’s head before rebounding once again off the woodwork and going out. It was just millimetres from glory for the Palermo star.

Argentina sought to capitalise on that fortune with Messi again bursting through, only to be denied by an advancing Mark Schwarzer.

Despite Messi's influence, the Aussies refused to drop the tempo of the match, and on their next attack the ball fell to Lucas Neill from a corner, but he shot high and wide.

Carlos Tevez's influence on the game grew early in the second half and he won the free-kick which resulted in the opening goal.

From the set-piece, Messi delivered to an unmarked Demichelis, who steered the ball past Schwarzer off the left-hand post and into the net.

Just minutes later, Bresciano again had another free kick in a similar position and once again unloaded a belter of a shot on goal.

But this time he was denied by a fingertip save by the Argentine keeper to edge it just over the bar.

Carney very nearly fluked an equaliser when his cross into the box turned into a chip on goal, forcing a great save from the retreating ‘keeper as he scrambled back to his line.

Carney shared man of the match honours with Bresciano after sterling work on the left wing and always tracking back to keep up his defensive duties, despite being matched against Messi.

But Carney was up to the job. Although occasionally embarrassed by the $250million-valued star, Carney still managed to leave him flailing on his backside after his quick feet left him for dead.

The match was also the farewell for veteran Socceroo Josip Skoko who had a good game in his final appearance in the green and gold, making some nice passes and putting in a few good crosses.

He had an emotional goodbye after he was replaced by Carl Valeri after 50 minutes of action, sharing hugs with team-mates and coaching staff.

Bresciano was replaced by Brett Holman soon after while Nick Carle came on for Thompson as Aussie coach Graham Arnold pressed for an equaliser.

But it was the visitors who looked more likely to score, with Messi denied a penalty in the 59th minute.

Arnold was also celebrating his farewell to the Socceroos post. This was his last game in charge before switching full-time to the Olyroos, and as almost his last act as boss, he gave Central Coast Mariner Nik Mrdja his first cap with ten minutes to play.

Although the Argentines were a constant danger in attack, Australia’s midfield did an excellent job of closing them down and frustrating them before attacks could develop.

The final 30 minutes produced some frenzied football but few chances and possession was shared 50-50.

It was an impressive outing by the Australians, and the Argentineans will be pleased to have come away with a win, knowing they came within a whisker of being embarrassed by the Socceroos.