For fans of both sides it was a tightly contested game full of tension and wild celebration, the excitement packed 2-2 draw earning Australian manager Guus Hiddink an undisputable place in history.
The more experienced Croatians twice led the match, before the Socceroos, who needed only a draw to advance, equalised the game. Thousands of cheering fans across Australia and the world embraced, danced in the streets and lit flares at the nail- biting result.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard even catching the early morning broadcast on SBS Television, donning a green tracksuit he told the Nine network, that it was a great sporting moment.
“What is great about this is that for so long we had in Australia hundreds of thousands of young boys, and increasingly girls now, playing soccer ... but somehow or other we couldn't break through into the international scene."
Socceroos boss John O’Neill hailing his players game, "They achieved it in a way that I think we can only be proud of as all Australians," he told ABC radio.
Celebrations
At Sydney's Circular Quay, flares erupted above the crowd and strangers embraced joyously as the full-time whistle went. "I may be a wog," said a grinning Adrian Gatt "But I'm proud to be Australian, this is what it means to be Australian."
An impromptu street parade erupted as thousands of fans spilled onto Sydney streets, beating drums, blowing whistles and horns and in some cases doing cartwheels down the street.
"I've never seen anything like it, in all my 57 years living in Sydney," one woman laughed.
It was a similar story in Melbourne where more than 9,000 fans packed into Federation Square to cheer long and hard after the game ended, embracing each other as a series of flares lit the early morning sky.
Another 7,000 people gathered in the glow of a second screen at nearby Birrarung Marr, while more than 1,000 people watched the live broadcast on one of three big screens at Telstra Dome.
Bitter-sweet victory
For Australia's large Croatian community the result was bitter-sweet, both squads featured Australian-born players of Croatian heritage.
About 300 people packed the Australian Croatian Association's hall in Melbourne's Footscray, most wearing the traditional red and white team colours of Croatia. Others wore the familiar green and gold or both – in support for both sides.
"We're happy and we're sad, see there's no emotion… Our emotions are counter-balanced, when you feel both it's really hard." Julie Milicevic said.
Steve Jakicic stood with his arms folded, in silence, after the game. He was wearing a Croatia jersey but was surprisingly upbeat when interviewed, "I'm wearing Croatian colours but when Australia scored the goal I sort of felt more passion. I'm proud of my heritage, proud of my background but proud of being Australian."
Australia, ranked 44 in the world now becomes the underdog in their next match against Italy.