In Argentina, the Socceroos are seen as a strong team who pressure on rivals, wear them down physically and occasionally catch a team by surprise with a shock goal. And a shock win.

But if they’re being truthful, the mood in Argentina ahead of Sunday’s match-up is optimistic. And if anyone is going to bring about the demise of the famous blue-and-white jersey at the 2022 World Cup, it is Argentina themselves.

“After a bad debut against Saudi Arabia, Argentina began to recover its best version against Mexico and Poland, and the team that won Copa América against Brazil in 2021 reappeared,” Leo Garbossa, an Argentinian journalist with La Capital, told the Herald from Buenos Aires.

“That is why there is a lot of optimism that they can beat Australia, always without underestimating. Argentina’s main enemy is Argentina. When they don’t find their game, they get disorganised, but when they find it, it’s very difficult for them to lose.”

While some Australian sports teams and identities are better known in Argentina - think the Wallabies, the Boomers and Lleyton Hewitt - the Socceroos players aren’t as anonymous as you might imagine in the South American nation, says ESPN sports presenter Fabian Taboada.

“We watch a lot of football from Europe, where there are a lot of Australian players. Mathew Ryan and Aaron Mooy will be the best known,” Taboada said.

“The A-League is not very well known. The time change is a problem to see your league, but in Argentina there is even a sports journalist who wrote a book on Australian football. He is Juan Manuel D’Angelo and his book is Socceroos.”

Naturally, the feats of the Socceroos haven’t been occupying much of Argentina’s devoted attention during the 2022 World Cup, given Lionel Messi’s side began disastrously after losing to Saudi Arabia in the opening round. It remains the biggest upset, rankings-wise, of the tournament.