Thousands of Socceroos fans and a handful of USA fans have packed into live sites across the country to watch the nations clash at the World Cup.
The USA won the match 2-0 after goals in the first half, but the Socceroos put in a much-improved performance in the second half.
The live site at Federation Square in Melbourne is traditionally the biggest in the country and that was again the case, despite early morning drizzle.
Organisers said 7,000 people streamed into the site and the gates were closed about an hour before kick-off, with hundreds of fans directed to another nearby site to watch the game.
There was plenty of colour on display from Socceroos fans at Federation Square.
Some fans had waited in line for several hours.
“We’ve been here since 11:30pm waiting in line,” said one fan who was optimistic before the game.
“Socceroos mate, three-nil. Easy,” he said.
Security at the Federation Square live site weren’t able to stop some fans from bringing flares into the venue. (ABC News: Andi Yu)
Despite the heavy security, some people were able to smuggle flares into the site.
Former Socceroo Craig Foster, who was MC at the Federation Square live site, urged fans with flares not to set them off.
“We want to be here for every match,” he said.
Fans at the FIFA live site in Parramatta watch the Socceroos-USA clash on the big screen. (ABC News: Digby Werthmuller)
More than 1,000 fans gathered at the Parramatta Square live site in Sydney, where the weather at least was a bit more welcoming.
Fans tried to get comfortable while they watched the Socceroos game on the big screen in Parramatta. (ABC News: Digby Werthmuller)
More than 800 flocked to Hobart’s live theatre The Odeon for a watch party organised by Dark Lab in collaboration with City of Hobart and ABC Hobart.
The party was only organised this week, after ABC local radio highlighted that there was nowhere in the city for soccer fans to watch the match.
A last-minute watch party was organised during the week at Hobart theatre The Odeon. (ABC News: Rani Fletcher)
Tickets were snapped up in just 40 minutes when they were released on Thursday, prompting an additional 100 to be released yesterday.
“It’s pretty awesome to have finally somewhere to watch the game in Hobart. We’ve come from the deep of Huon Valley, got up at a quarter to 3 and we’re ready,” said fan Liam Moschberger.
Fans snapped up tickets within just 40 minutes of them going on sale for the watch party in Hobart. (ABC News: Rani Fletcher)
In Canberra, former MP Bill Shorten joined Governor-General Sam Mostyn and supporters at the University of Canberra to watch the game.
“They’re up against the very best in the world,” Ms Mostyn said.
“The most important thing for them to know is back here in Australia, all Aussies are saying ‘go Socceroos’.”
Governor-General Sam Mostyn and her partner watch the Socceroos game in Canberra with former Labor leader Bill Shorten. (ABC News: Caitlyn Maloney)
The disappointing half-time scoreline did see some people leave the Federation Square site early and head home.
“Honestly, just really disappointed with the boys’ effort in the first half. I think the line-up going in needs some work and I just thought they need to put a better effort in,” one said.
“Been here since midnight and been in the line for three hours, so a bit disappointed.”
