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Socceroos fans who faced the early morning chill and headed to the pub this morning went through a rollercoaster of emotions as the nation’s first 2022 World Cup game devolved from hope to heartbreak against France.
Australia managed to snag the first goal of the game in the ninth minute against the 2018 champions, sending every pub opened at the time across Sydney into a cacophony of beers and cheers.
Kai and Marijke watch the start of the World Cup match between France and Australia at the Coogee Bay Hotel.Credit:Brook Mitchell
It’s the quickest the Socceroos have ever scored on the World Cup stage and the first time Australia have scored a goal from open play since 2014.
Kai, 39 and Marijke, 42, were watching the first goal unfold from the Coogee Bay Hotel.
“The atmosphere is great,” Kai said.
“It’s just nice to be out again and being able to experience those major events together with fellow fans, not only supporting Australia but all teams playing at the World Cup.
Socceroos fans Aaron Weakley (left), Daniel Carr (middle) and Brendan Elliott (right) reflect on the short period of glory in the first half.
By full-time, it was a sombre mood at the Madison Hotel in Surry Hills as the clock ticked over to full-time, bringing with it a final scoreline of 4-1 to the French.
Sydneysiders Daniel Carr, Aaron Weakley and Brendan Elliott were already talking about their second teams after the match.
“The 10 minutes of glory was brilliant. It was going off. The belief was there,” Elliott said of the mood after the first goal.