QPR midfielder concedes penalty as Socceroos lose 3-2 to Germany in Sochi
Queens Park Rangers midfielder Massimo Luongo’s Confederations Cup campaign with Australia did not get off to the best of starts as he conceded a penalty in a 3-2 loss to Germany in Sochi.
In the 44th minute, the 24-year-old clumsily fouled Schalke’s Leon Goretzka in the box, with Paris St-Germain forward Julian Draxler converting to give the world champions a 2-1 advantage at the break.
Borussia Monchengladbach’s Lars Stindl had earlier fired the Germans into a fifth-minute lead, before Tom Rogic equalised for the Socceroos in the 41st minute.
Luongo was replaced at the break and watched on from the sidelines as Goretzka extended the lead for Joachim Low’s men in the 48th minute.
However, just eight minutes later, Luzern forward Tomi Juric gave Australia hope of a comeback, though it never materialised.
The Socceroos next face Cameroon in Group B in Saint Petersburg on Thursday, with the losers almost certain to suffer an early exit having both been beaten in their opening games.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here