Socceroos to face Argentina at Copa America

CARTAGENA, Colombia: Australia will face Lionel Messi and Argentina in next year’s Copa America after being drawn alongside the tournament co-hosts on Tuesday.

The Socceroos, one of two guest teams invited to the South American football championship, will also face Paraguay, Bolivia, Uruguay and Chile in Group A.

In Group B, Asian champions Qatar, the other guest nation, will face Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru. The first round designations for Australia and Qatar were the only major issue left to be decided at Tuesday’s ceremonial draw.

The other teams in the two groups had already been determined based on geographical proximity to co-hosts Argentina and Colombia. Australia coach Graham Arnold said his team was relishing the prospect of facing Argentina in Buenos Aires. “That’s what it’s all about, it’s about testing ourselves at the highest level,” he said.