#25 Con Boutsianis

2002 World Cup Qualifier vs American Samoa (April 11, 2001) 

Boutsianis scored the first goal of the match from the corner in the 10th minute to open the game up, which lead to the biggest winning margin in any senior international match (31-0). The result didn’t change Australian football forever, but the game is incredibly well known down under, and around the world. 

#24 Luke Wilkshire

Friendly vs Germany (March 30, 2011)

This penalty may not have sent the Socceroos to a major competition, nor was it scored in a major competition, but it is was very significant goal that put Australia in the lead of a noteworthy friendly match against Germany. The goal brought Australia into the international spotlight, confirming their status as a very capable team. It was also revenge for their defeat to Germany in the 2010 World Cup…

Goal at 0:44

#23 Massimo Luongo

World Cup Qualifier vs Iraq (September 1, 2016)

With the Socceroos' current performances looking far from their best, Luongo’s goal in their qualifier against Iraq in September is looking more and more important. Australia will be incredibly disappointed if they fail to qualify for Russia, so this goal (which provided momentum for a 2-0 win) could be the difference.

Goal at 0:55

#22 Branko Buljevic

Friendly vs Bulgaria (February 14, 1973)

The Bulgarian football team was brought down under to play the Socceroos in some warm up matches prior to World Cup qualifying elimination matches. Buljevic scored Australia’s first goal of the first game in a three game series in the 56th minute. The game finished 2-2, providing the Socceroos with the confidence of knowing that they could contest against high quality opposition ahead of qualifying for the 1974 World Cup.

#21 Tim Cahill

2014 World Cup Group Stage vs The Netherlands (June 18, 2014)

Possibly the best ever strike by a Socceroo, Tim Cahill’s 21st minute goal brought Australia on level terms with the Dutch, tying the game up to 1-1 just seconds after going behind. Although Australia went on to lose the match 3-2, this goal made headlines around the world and was shortlisted for goal of the tournament.

#20 Tim Cahill

World Cup Qualifier vs UAE (September 6, 2016)

Australia were dominating the majority of this match, but struggled to find that cutting edge pass or shot to put them ahead. Tim Cahill came off the bench, and, as you’d expect, he scored the winner. It’s never easy beating an Asian side at an away ground in a hostile environment, so this goal was crucial to securing a result that will help the Socceroos' chances of qualifying for Russia.

Goal at 1:09

#19 Massimo Luongo

2015 Asian Cup Group Stage vs Kuwait (January 9, 2015)

After a sluggish start, Luongo emerged as a star player for Australia, putting them into a 2-1 lead with a header. This goal was so important because it gave Australia confidence after conceding early in the game. It was also the platform for Massimo Luongo to continue performing, eventually resulting in him winning the award for best player in the tournament. 

#18 Brett Emerton

Friendly vs England (February 14, 2003)

A tidy finish past the keeper confirmed a historic and unexpected 3-1 victory against England at Upton Park in 2003. England were fielding a strong side in the first half, which made the win even more impressive and important for reaffirming the fact that Australia are a strong footballing nation. 

Goal at 2:33

#17 Ray Baartz 

World Cup Qualifier vs South Korea (November 11, 1973)

After trailing 2-0, it took a goal by Buljevic, followed by another goal from Baartz (in the 47th minute) to have the match end in a draw. Without this goal, the Socceroos would have never had a do or die rematch with South Korea to send them on the way to the 1974 World Cup.

#16 Mile Jedinak

Friendly vs Germany (March 25, 2015)

This free kick was the Socceroos 1000th goal and to have it scored by the captain was even more special. This goal represented more than just a gorgeous free kick, because it represented success over the years for the Socceroos.

Goal at 2:39

#15 Tim Cahill

2006 World Cup Group Stage vs Japan (June 12, 2006)

It was far from an aesthetic strike, but either way, this was the first goal scored by the Socceroos in a World Cup. This goal announced Australia’s presence in the World Cup scene.

#14 Tim Cahill

Friendly vs Costa Rica (November 19, 2013)

Who else would mark the beginning of the Ange Postecoglou era? Cahill scored in the 69th minute with a signature header to give the Socceroos a narrow 1-0 win. Was it a special goal? No. Are the results that followed in the Postecoglou era special? Yes.

Goal at 4:05

#13 Josh Kennedy

2014 World Cup Qualifier vs Iraq (June 18, 2013)

After being substituted on for Tim Cahill, Josh Kennedy knew what he had to do. It would only take one goal to send Australia to the World Cup in Brazil. In the 83rd minute, Kennedy did his job, sending a Bresciano cross to the bottom right corner of the goal with a header. 

#12 Tim Cahill 

2006 World Cup Group Stage vs Japan (June 12, 2006)

After Australia’s first ever goal in a World Cup match, Cahill scored his second of the game in the 89th minute. Not only did this give Australia the lead, it gave them the driving force and belief to make the round of 16. 

#11 Paul Wade 

1988 Australian Bicentennial Gold Cup vs Argentina (July 14, 1988)

Arguably one of the most impressive underdog Australian victories in sport, Paul Wade’s goal in the fourth minute propelled the Socceroos to an unlikely 4-0 win. This goal was so important as it established Australia as a nation that deserves respect in the footballing world. Beating Argentina has never been an easy feat. 

Goal at 8:55

#10 Billy Vojtek

Vietnam National Day Soccer Tournament Final vs South Korea (November 14, 1967)

After South Korea scored in the opening minute, Australia bounced back through a Billy Vojtek goal, which guided them to a 3-1 win, their first international tournament victory. Sure, it was a minor tournament, but you have to start somewhere.

#9 Josh Kennedy

2010 World Cup Qualifier vs Qatar (February 6, 2008)

Kennedy soared over Qatar’s defence to secure Australia’s spot in the 2010 World Cup. His header was the first of three goals, helping send the Socceroos' on back to back World Cup campaigns for the first time.

Goal at 0:12

#8 Tim Cahill

2015 Asian Cup Quarter Final vs China (January 22, 2015)

The Socceroos were beginning to get frustrated after a scoreless first half against China in the Quarter Finals of the Asian Cup against China. Who comes to the rescue? Surprise, surprise, it was Tim Cahill! A spectacular bicycle kick was the icing on the cake for a goal that reinvigorated Australia. Oh, and, Cahill scored another goal later in the game, just for fun. 

 Goal at 0:57

#7 Massimo Luongo

2015 Asian Cup Final vs South Korea (January 31, 2015)

It took some sensational control of the ball, a turn and then a strike into the bottom right corner from Massimo Luongo to gift Australia the first goal of the Asian Cup Final. Not only was it a sublime piece of play, it put Australia into the driving seat for a historic victory. 

#6 Bill Maunder

Friendly vs New Zealand (June 17, 1922)

Bill who? He’s not a very well known Australian football player, but Bill Maunder was the man who scored the incredibly significant first goal for the Socceroos (long before they were called the Socceroos, of course). Australia lost the match, but it was only the beginning for the Socceroos… 

#5 Jimmy Mackay 

1974 World Cup Qualifier vs South Korea (November 13,1973)

Not only was this goal beautiful to watch, it sent Australia to their first FIFA World Cup. Jimmy Mackay struck the ball ever so sweetly outside the box, finessing it into the top left corner. An unreachable shot fulfilled a supposedly unreachable achievement.

Goal at 2:21

#4 Harry Kewell

World Cup Group Stage vs Croatia (June 22, 2006)

Kewell’s 79th minute strike got Australia level at 2-2 with Croatia to ensure progression into the round of 16 of the 2006 World Cup for the first time. It was just an incredible moment for Kewell and the entire nation. 

 Goal at 4:33

#3 John Aloisi

2006 World Cup Qualifier vs Uruguay (November 16, 2005)

This is the goal that every Australian football fan remembers, and for good reason. Aloisi’s penalty represented Australia’s entry into the 2006 World Cup – and a new era in the nation's footbaqll history. You can’t watch this moment without getting chills.

Watch the video on loop, you know you want to.

#2 James Troisi

2015 Asian Cup Final vs South Korea, (January 31, 2016)

This goal is what all the hard work over the years has led up to. The extra time goal handed Australia their first major tournament trophy in Asia and arguably their most significant triumph yet. The importance of this goal was felt across all of Australia.

#1 Marco Bresciano

 2006 World Cup Qualifier vs Uruguay (November 16, 2005)

Many saw Aloisi’s penalty as the goal that sent Australia to the 2006 World Cup, and although its immediate impact was clear, Bresciano’s goal in open play is what took the game to extra time, resulting in a penalty shoot out. Without Bresciano’s goal, Aloisi would have never been able to take that penalty, and the Socceroos would have never been where they are today. And that goal celebration... Amazing.

 Goal at 1:00