Is it an omen? A bad one at that? On June 26, 2006, the Socceroos were denied a quarter-final berth at the World Cup by a penalty which, let’s face it, wasn’t really a penalty.
Now, on June 26, 2018, Australia must beat Peru if they want to go back to the Round of 16 for the first time since that fateful day.
In their first World Cup since 1972, the Socceroos put in brave performances to get out of Group F, scoring their first World Cup goal (then following it up with four more across their remaining games) and earning plenty of respect from the rest of the footballing world.
After beating Japan 3-1, they lost 2-0 to Brazil and drew 2-all with Croatia, allowing them to advance to the Round of 16, with the game set for a sold out crowd in Kaiserslautern on a Monday afternoon.
Italy, who went on to win the World Cup when they beat France in the final, struggled to get past the Socceroos for the whole of the 90 minutes with the Australian defence holding firm.
But they eventually did. In injury time. And jeez did it hurt Australian supporters, who still talk about it to this day.
An attacking raid down the left-hand side of the pitch saw Fabio Grosso move into the penalty area. Socceroos defender Lucas Neill made contact with the Italian striker and referee Luis Medina Cantalejo of Spain sunk the Aussies, pointing straight to the spot.
Francesco Totti then drove the ball into the top left corner of the net, sending Italy through to the quarter-finals of the tournament without the need for extra time.
(John Macdougall/AFP/Getty Images)
Mark Schwarzer, who had saved penalties to get Australia to the World Cup in their 2005 play-off game against Uruguay at Homebush, went the right way, but simply couldn’t reach the well-taken shot.
The Australian squad was maybe the best the nation has ever sent out. Schwarzer at the back, Neill, Brett Emerton, a young Tim Cahill, John Aloisi, skipper Mark Viduka, Mark Bresciano and of course Harry Kewell made the journey possible for the Socceroos, but it was a heart-breaking end.
Now, on the same day 12 years later, Australia take on Peru, needing not only to win, but for other results to go their way.
If that happens, they will return to the knockout stages of the World Cup for just the second time in their history.
They have a different squad, a different coach and a different administration. The national league is no longer a laughing stock and football is taken seriously in this country, but there is still the same pressure on the Socceroos and their World Cup squad to produce a good performance.
To unite a nation and to make them believe in the team representing them.
This is the biggest game for Australia since that day and put simply, to keep football on the map in this country, the Socceroos must put in big performances at the World Cup.
They showed what they are capable of against Denmark, despite not being able to get over the line, but now there are no more chances. It’s win or go home.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of Australia’s crucial match against Peru from 12am (AEST) this evening as they try to reverse the result of their July 26, 2006, match.
JamesH
Roar Guru
I think it was Materazzi, the recipient of Zidane's famous headbutt.
anon
Roar Pro
I haven't had this feeling about the Socceroos since 2006. 2010 to a certain extent, but wasn't the same because of expectations. This has completely out of nowhere and it's all credit to Bert. I had no expectations. I thought we'd lose all three games based on what we were subjected to under Ange. We struggled to beat Asian minnows. I didn't see how we could compete with top 15 in the world sides. But Bert has everyone puffing out their chests all of a sudden, talking as if a round of 16 appearance is manifest destiny (despite finishing 3/6 in our qualification group). We should be doing everything to keep Bert around for the Asian Cup. I think he'd give us a great chance of defending our title. Graham Arnold is not going to work. Our domestic coaches aren't international standard. I get that they want to develop coaches domestically, but we cannot ever repeat the mistake of risking a World Cup appearance with a substandard coach. We need to find the best available coach in the WORLD -- not Australia. Making a World Cup -- or winning an Asian Cup -- is far more important than indulging the egos of domestic soccer figures.
chris
Guest
And that's important to you because? How about Italy winning 4 world cups?
chris
Guest
Nevermind that Lucas Neill himself said it was a penalty as he should have stayed on his feet. What is it with these ignorant about football observers that constantly parrot each other? Even when time and time again football people tell them it was a pen?
chris
Guest
1972?
mds1970
Roar Guru
Whatever happens tonight, we can carry this away...... We were in this year's World Cup. Italy were not.
At work
Roar Rookie
Yep for most of the 2nd half we had a 1 man advantage as one of their players received a red card
Kevin
Guest
Does anyone recall , i think we also played with an extra man for about a half ? And that will always be awarded a penalty..soft..tactful but correct call was made..
Kris
Guest
Playing a FB as a makeshift CB cost us; Neill made the tackle that a fullback would sliding in. Clear penalty.
Ian
Guest
lol, a penalty that wasn't really a penalty. It was. Some of us need to get over it. The lesson learned is as a defender you don't fall over in front of an attacker in the box.
Lamby
Roar Rookie
No way would it have been overturned by VAR :-( Lucas Neill went down (a big slide) in the box. Our world cup was over then. Grosso could have gone right and be one-on-one with the keeper. But he did the 'professional' thing, he put the ball behind Neill, so he had to go over him, and he did so trailing his leg. Always has been a penalty, always will be.
At work
Roar Rookie
VAR wouldn't have overturned it because it wasn't a clear or obvious error. I don't even think it was an error, it sucked massively and as hard as it is to lose a game like that, but Neil fouled Grosso. I can't believe this is now 12 years ago, makes you feel old :(
JamesH
Roar Guru
In theory, no, because it definitely wasn't a howler. Although VAR has been used to overturn 50/50 calls a few times in this tournament, so maybe!
JamesH
Roar Guru
"a penalty which, let’s face it, wasn’t really a penalty" I hope that was tongue-in-cheek Scott! If it was any other side on any other day, no one would have batted an eyelid at that call. When you go down in the box, miss the ball and make contact with the attacking player's leg, it's hardly controversial! ;) I'm just shattered that these games are on at midnight in the middle of the week. I'm either going to be really excited or really disappointed when I wake up tomorrow.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Had VAR been around in 2006, would that penalty have been overturned? Sadly, we'll never know.