The Socceroos have rallied around Lucas Herrington after his penalty miss in a World Cup round-of-16 shootout against Argentina ended Australia's tournament run. Herrington, who stepped up as the fifth taker, saw his spot-kick saved by Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, sealing a 4-3 shootout win for the South Americans after a 1-1 draw.
Teammates Offer Public Support
Captain Mathew Ryan said: "Lucas is one of the bravest players I know. He volunteered to take that penalty, and we win and lose as a team. We're all hurting, but no one should point fingers at him." The squad posted messages on social media, with defender Harry Souttar writing: "Proud of every single one of you, especially Lucas. We'll come back stronger."
Coach's Reaction
Coach Graham Arnold described the defeat as "cruel" but praised Herrington's character. "He's a young man with incredible resilience. This will only make him stronger," Arnold said. The team is expected to return to Australia on Monday.
