Australia went toe to toe with world number four ranked Chile, and were the better team for large parts of the game.

James Troisi opened the scoring late in the first half, and for a period it appeared that Ange Postecoglou would secure his first win with the national team at a FIFA competition.

PIC SPECIAL: Australia v Chile

When Martin Rodriguez found an equaliser in the 67th minute, Australia responded with heart and pressed for a winner.

While it was not to be, the Socceroos can head home from Russia with their heads held high.

Here are five things we learned from Australia’s final game at the Confederations Cup.

Brave selection by Ange

There is a towering statue at the entrance to Spartak Stadium.

It represents Spartacus, the gladiator who revolted against the Romans, and is a nod to the revolutionary links of resident team Spartak Moscow.

But when Australian fans saw Ange Postecoglou’s team selection on Sunday evening, they were contemplating another kind of revolt.

Postecoglou made six changes to his starting XI

The Socceroos boss made six changes for the clash with Chile – bringing in Troisi, Tim Cahill, Aziz Behich, Ryan McGowan, Massimo Luongo and Jackson Irvine while leaving attacking stars Tom Rogic and Aaron Mooy on the bench.

Given Australia needed to score two goals to progress to the semi-finals, it seemed Postecoglou was abandoning the Confederations Cup and trying something new ahead of the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.

But the Socceroos performance, if perhaps not the result, vindicated Postecoglou’s choices.

It was a strategic masterstroke. Despite making five changes of their own, Chile looked tired for most of the evening, while Australia was energised by the fresh faces.

PIC SPECIAL: Australia v Chile