Football fans from across the world lose their minds over Craig Goodwin’s wonder strike for the Socceroos – and a train full of supporters erupts in wild celebration on the way to Sydney
Craig Goodwin has given Australia the most unlikeliest of starts against reigning worlds champions France, finishing off a stunning team goal at Al Janoub Stadium on Wednesday morning.
It was the Socceroos first goal in open play since Tim Cahill’s iconic volley at the 2014 World Cup – a full 438 minutes of football ago.
A pinpoint long ball from the lanky Harry Souttar at centre back found Mathew Leckie on the right wing, whose deft first touch saw him easily round the French defence.
Leckie’s perfect cross found Goodwin unmarked on the far post, with the former KFC worker calmly slotting home past Hugo Lloris, leaving the French-dominant crowd at Al Janoub stunned just nine minutes into the encounter.
Craig Goodwin looks to the heavens after scoring Australia’s first goal in open play since the 2014 World Cup with an unlikely goal against reigning world champions France
Socceroos players gather around Goodwin, who was in a state of shock, disbelief and happiness, after his goal
On the back of a shock win to Saudi Arabia over tournament favourites Argentina, it is proof really anything can happen at a World Cup.
Not even the most ardent of Aussie supporters could have imagined scoring a goal against France, let alone one in open play that had absolutely nothing to do with luck or a foul from the opposition.
Fans collectively lost their minds over the astonishing goal to Goodwin, and it’s build-up, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese quick to write ‘Go Socceroos’, accompanied by a pair of green and gold heart emojis.
People were tweeting from New York, Kolkata; even hotel rooms in Paris, cheekily enough.
Fans were even losing it on the 6.09am train from the Central Coast to Sydney over the incredible start.
Craig Goodwin’s strike goes past the outstretched arm of French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (right) in the ninth minute of the game
Unfortunately for the Socceroos, France were ahead 2-1 by the 32nd minute mark, after easy goals to Adrien Rabiot and Olivier Giroud.
The French are too quick, too skilful – but they don’t have the Boxing Kangaroo spirit on their side, do they.
More to come…