They Socceroos exited the tournament overnight (AEST) with their heads held high having lost 2-3 to Germany and drawn their other two matches while improving throughout.

Australia v Chile pic special

They were facing a massive task entering the game knowing that only a two goal winning margin would guarantee progression to the semi finals.

Up against the Copa Americas champions and the number four ranked team in the world, the challenge at Spartak Stadium was huge but the kind coach Ange Postecoglou relishes.

And he surprised with his first team selection. Both sides made five changes to their previous match. While Chile’s changes were probably with one eye on the semi-final place, Australia’s coach knew that he had to produce a significant win.

It was a stunning decision to leave out Tomi Rogic, Australia’s most potent attacking force, who was replaced by Jackson Irvine. Another was Aaron Mooy missing out with Massimo Luongo, who had struggled in the opening match against Germany, back in the side.

The ever dependable Mark Milligan was put into right sided defence while Ryan McGowan took over the left sided position where Australia had had problems in both of their previous matches. With Australia requiring at least two goals Postecoglou went with both Tomi Juric and Tim Cahill in the starting line up.

Tim Cahill’s return to the side marked his 100th appearance for the Socceroos. Whether this achievement was the reason for him making the starting XI will be questioned. It’s a significant milestone and one that warrants more appropriate acknowledgement at another time and when it isn’t clouded by Australia’s performance and exit from the competition.

It was Australia that carved out the first opening. In the 6th minute Tim Cahill won the ball strongly from Arturo Vidal in midfield and Luongo found himself with room approaching the penalty area but his shot flew well wide.

Two minutes later Chile were denied twice by Mat Ryan. Vidal’s sweet volley could only be parried by Brighton’s new keeper and Eduardo Vargas’ follow up shot wasn’t hit cleanly enough allowing Ryan to gather.

Alexis Sanchez showed the first sign of his mastery in the 12th minute when he created an opening on the edge of the area and fed the ball through to Vargas who had drifted slightly offside.

Milligan came to Australia’s rescue in the 26th minute when Sanchez broke clear on the left after a ball was chipped from left back over the top of the defenders. Milligan stretched to get a touch while Sanchez fell to the ground. The Italian referee checked with the Video Assistant Referee to ensure that the challenge was a clean one.

Ten minutes later Australia almost took the lead. James Troisi linked with Aziz Behich on the left and chipped a ball into the area where Luongo met it but the shot was well smothered by Claudio Bravo.

Three minutes before half-time they shocked the pre-tournament favourites by going one up. Robbie Kruse won the ball strongly in midfield and fed Trent Sainsbury who had ventured forward.

The ball found it’s way back to Kruuse who fed a beautiful ball through to James Troisi who hit a delightful trip over Bravo. It was the sort of goal that Postecoglou would have been dreaming of this goal for both the manner of the build up and the significance to the team.

In a frantic end to the first half Chile came close to an equaliser in the 45th minute when Jose Fuenzalida couldn’t quite find a touch at the far post after Vidal’s header had been deflected off Milligan.

Australia, however, should have increased their lead when Sainsbury was completely unmarked eight metres out but ballooned his volley over when he had time to bring the ball down and pick his spot with just Bravo to beat.

The Socceroos made a bright start to the second half but it was Chile that had the first opportunity when Vargas’ shot could only be parried by Ryan. Bravo’s first test came four minutes later when Cahill couldn’t get enough power in his header from McGowan’s free-kick to trouble the Manchester City goalkeeper.

It was the last action for him with Mathew Leckie replacing Australia’s captain a couple of minutes later. With Jamie Maclaren coming on for Juric, Postecoglou had decided to add additional pace to their attack.

Sanchez had a clear cut chance when a double ricochet in the Socceroos’ defence gave him an opening but he couldn’t steer his shot wide enough of Ryan.

Australia then had two opportunities. Kruse just failed to get on the end of another fine through ball from Troisi who then rifled a shot just over the bar from 25 metres out.

It was slightly against the run of play that Chile found an equaliser. Vargas, who had caused problems throughout, headed through to half-time substitute Martin Rodriguez who ghosted through the defence to force the ball home.

They almost had the lead moments later when Sanchez beat Milligan down the left and although he placed his cross onto the head of the unmarked Vargas the header went just past the far post.

In the 71st minute it was Troisi again who found the telling delivery from which Maclaren should have restored Australia’s lead. Another chip over the top from the Melbourne Victory player left Maclaren only needing to make a clean contact but he screwed the ball wide.

Australia had drawn with and matched the competition favourites. They played some excellent football throughout, the brand of football that Postecoglou has been looking for.

There were some stand out performances from players such as Milligan, Troisi, Sainsbury and Jackson Irvine, with Luongo looking much better in the centre of midfield than on the left.  Much will have been learned and progress has been made and that is probably all that could have been asked for at this stage of the young team’s development.

Chile will now go to Kazan where they will face Portugal in the semi-final while Germany beat Cameroon 3-1 to top the group and book their place in the other semi-final to be played in Sochi against Mexico.

Chile 1: Rodríguez 67'

Australia 1: Troisi 42'