It's a moment Connor Metcalfe will never forget and his old school wants its students to use the Socceroo World Cup hero as an inspiration.
Metcalfe became just the 11th Australian to score a World Cup goal when the Newcastle-born midfielder stepped up with an "incredible" solo effort in the 2-0 win against Turkey on Sunday.
And the celebration reverberated all the way back to the Hunter as the Socceroos sent the football community into raptures.
Metcalfe - with junior links to South Cardiff, Valentine and Northern NSW representative teams - announced himself on the world stage and Hunter Sports High said he was the perfect example for their students.
"For the young athletes chasing their goals, this one's for you," the school posted on social media with a photo of a younger Metcalfe.
"This is Connor Metcalfe back in Year 7 at Hunter Sports High School - a few years before scoring that absolute screamer for Australia at the World Cup yesterday!
"Dream big and keep putting in the work."
Metcalfe's sweetly-timed shot in his World Cup debut doubled Australia's advantage in the 75th minute.
"Incredible. When I saw that ball go in, the feeling that went through my body, I can't explain it," Metcalfe, 26, told host broadcaster SBS in a post-game interview.
"For it to be my first World Cup and my first game and to score, it couldn't have gone any better."
Fans dressed in gold and green celebrated inside the stadium, back home at live site Melbourne's Federation Square and right across lounge rooms Down Under.
So did Socceroos coach Tony Popovic, recently re-signed as manager for next year and two decades after playing in the same tournament himself.
"It's probably the fittest he [Metcalfe] has been with us," Popovic told SBS.
"He got a couple of games in with St Pauli before he arrived in the [World Cup] camp and you can see the benefit of that.
"He's put in a lot of work and I'm happy he got a goal, because we keep asking him to shoot more and he should do better with his left foot.
"The perfect stage to score."
It was a second international goal for Metcalfe, who plays for German club FC St Pauli, having debuted in the senior squad in a World Cup qualifier five years ago.
His journey through to 2026 has also been tracked back home.
"From South Cardiff to the world, congratulations former South Cardiff FC player Connor Metcalfe," the NNSW club posted on social media on Sunday afternoon.
The Socceroos went ahead against Turkiye in the 27th minute courtesy of a classy Nestory Irankunda finish at BC Place Stadium.
Melbourne City's Patrick Beach, who the Newcastle Jets lined up against this A-League season just gone, produced key saves in either half playing just his third international and after being selected ahead of veteran gloveman Mat Ryan.
Jackson Irvine was also on the bench.
Australia's group opener in Canada followed co-host USA thrashing Paraguay 4-1 some 24 hours earlier.
Those winning countries, level on three points each, are now drawn to meet in Seattle next weekend (June 20, 5am, AEST).
In terms of the goal-scoring moment itself, Metcalfe added: "Honestly, I wasn't really thinking. I just took the ball and I didn't even look at anyone else. Just looked up, saw the goal and shot. Luckily it was just perfect placement, so I'll take that every day."
Describing the team's overall performance, Metcalfe said: "The shift we just put in, we deserve it. It was unbelievable. Everyone was switched on for 90 minutes and when the subs came on they did their job. Super proud of everyone. We're going to have a good time in the change room and enjoy this win."
Responding to being written-off beforehand, Metcalfe said: "We're used to being the underdog, but with our mentality I think we can beat anyone."
Popovic, while out in the middle soaking up a historic victory, also had an eye towards the next challenge: "It will be a special game. Being a World Cup game is enough and being a host nation is enough. We'll recover well, prepare well and respect a very good US side."
Metcalfe becomes just the 11th Australian to score a World Cup goal.
It was just the second time the Socceroos had won their World Cup opener in seven attempts.
Australia's overall record at the men's FIFA tournament from 21 games - five wins, four draws, 12 losses.
