Baby, it may have been cold outside, but it was worthwhile getting up early this morning to watch the Socceroos (and Maty Ryan in his 100th match) make yet more history.
Their sixth consecutive World Cup.
If you think about that—"sixth consecutive World Cup"— you also realise that there are people who were born in 2005, have been through school, and are either working, travelling or studying today who do not know anything but the Socceroos (and Matildas of course) being at a World Cup. How good is that!?
It's the premise for one of our books from last year: David Weiner's The Goals That Changed Australia, which charts the fortunes and missteps of both the Socceroos and Matildas between that penalty of John Aloisi in 2005 through to the other remarkable penalty in 2023 of Cortnee Vine. Like all of our books, it's a fabulous read (and also available as an audiobook), written especially for young people.
Photo: The Socceroos mob goalkeeper and captain Mat Ryan after he saves a penalty from Salem Al Dawsari in the 85th minute. The Socceroos won 1-2, sending them through to the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA. (Photo courtesy Mat Ryan Instagram).