Socceroos into last 16: Payback for 32 years of heartbreak

22 June 2006 Stuttgart will be a date in Australian football folklore. A hard fought 2-2 draw with Croatia earned the Socceroos a dramatic, tension packed, finger biting and gut wrenching match that sees the Socceroos into the final 16 of the World cup.

Highlights

1. A 2nd minute Beckhamesque free kick put Australia on the back foot.
2. 10th minute, Mark Viduka was rugby tackled to the ground inside the box. English referee Graham Poll incredibly waved play on.
   
3. A stirring fightback by Australia, camping in the Croatian half for long spells of attacking football.
4. 39th minute. Croatian defender (Viduka's friend and former team mate at Zagreb) handled the ball deliberately in the box. Craig Moore stepped up to slot the penalty home.
5. A calamatous bungle by Kalac saw a Niko Kovac shot slip into the Australian net. Socceroos down again, needed character to come back.
6. Heartbreak loomed large again for the Socceroos, as another blatant handball by Tomas right in front of the ref in the box, incredibly was waved off. FIFA, think carefully before appointing a Pom as the referee in matches involving Australia.
7. 79th minute, substitute Bresciano crossed for Harry Kewell to slam home the equaliser.
8. A heroic clearance by Craig Moore off the goal line denies Croatia the winner.
   
9. Brad Emerton sent off for deliberate handball. Croatian Australian born defender Josip Simunic given a 2nd yellow card, but incredibly stayed on the pitch. He was given a third yellow card and a red card after the final whistle.
10. Sustained Croatian pressure saw clear cut chances spurned. Finally the Socceroos get payback for the 32 years of heartache.

Jubilant scenes were reported in Melbourne and Sydney street parties.
Read the coashes post match comments. Read the players' comments.
Nest up a round of 16 match against Italy. GO SOCCEROOS.