2002 FIFA World Cup Qualifications 

During the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification match against American Samoa, Australia broke the world record for the largest win and the most goals scored by a player with the final score being 31 – 0 and Archie Thompson with 13 goals to his name. 

2006 FIFA World Cup

Back among the World Cup elite after 32 years, this was the year where Tim Cahill wrote his place in history as the first player to score a goal for Australia at a World Cup. On 89 minutes, Cahill scored a stunning comeback against Japan. 

The match against Italy for the final sixteen is possibly the most infamous match in the history of the Socceroos. With the match at a nail biting stalemate, fate dealt Australia a cruel hand in the final minute of normal time when Lucas Neill and Fabio Gross came head to head in the box. The referee pointed to the spot and Francesco Totti would score the penalty which brought heartbreak for the Socceroos and Aussie fans in Germany and at home. Italy would go on to win the final.