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Adam Peacock's Top 5 Socceroos FIFA World Cup moments
Adam Peacock • June 12th, 2026 6:00 pm
The Socceroos have had some memorable moments at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ over the years.
SEN’s Adam Peacock has put together his Top 5 Australian moments that have occurred on football’s biggest stage.
5 - Mitch Duke goal v Tunisia (2022)
“We had to not lose against Tunisia and if we won it would have put us in great spot to get out of the group,” Peacock said on SEN1170 Arvos.
“Win we did, and Mitch Duke scored the goal and was Man of the Match.
“The four Man of the Match awards that day went to Robert Lewandowski, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi. Those three and Duke! What a quartet.”
4 - Harry Kewell goal v Croatia (2006)
“We were in a bit of bother against Croatia in a controversial match.
“Croatia took a 2-1 lead, then it was mayhem at the end because referee Graham Poll was meant to send off Josip Simunic for a second yellow card, put it down in the Australia column and not Croatia.
“There was pandemonium in the box and Harry Kewell happened to be in the right place at the right time to slam the ball home. 2-2 to the Socceroos and out of the group we get.”
3 - Tim Cahill’s sensational volley v Netherlands (2014)
“Words can’t do that goal justice, it was ridiculous.
“That was in 2014 when Ange Postecoglou cleared the decks a little. Took a few experienced players but other than that it was a youthful squad.
“Nothing expected, and that goal after Arjen Robben scored for the Netherlands in Porto Alegre just blew everyone’s minds in the stadium. You saw some of the Dutch fans stand up and applaud.
“It was freakish from Cahill.”
2 - Cahill scores first World Cup goals v Japan (2006)
“We were stuffed, it was doom, we were 1-0 down against Japan.
“The Socceroos had been through hell campo with Guus Hiddink in the lead-up just totally overran and physically outplayed Japan who couldn’t cope for the last 15 minutes.
“Tim was told he was going to play then Guus slept on it and changed his mind. Tim was fuming, absolutely fuming, but came off the bench and scored twice.
“That catapulted him into another stratosphere.
“It just brings a smile to the faces of all Australians.”
1 - Mathew Leckie goal v Denmark (2022)
“We sat through three World Cups where we didn’t get out of the group.
“It was a must-win game, or a must-not-lose game against Denmark and Mat Leckie just goes the Lone Ranger against the Danes.
“Controversial number one but because it got us out of the group and to the Round of 16 and equalled our best ever World Cup result, I’ve got it on top.
“I just remember the feeling I had when I saw that goal and neatly got chucked out of the press box for celebrating when you’re not allowed to.”
