About 7000 people packed into Melbourne's Federation Square on Sunday afternoon to watch Australia down Turkey 2-0 in Vancouver to open their campaign.
Security and police were out in big numbers inside and outside the gated event in the CBD, as another 9100 fans followed along at AAMI Park.
The Fed Square crowd was mostly well-behaved, although several flares were set off before and during the game.
A 15-year-old boy spotted with a flare was moved on by police and is expected to be charged on summons.
Police also arrested a man for possessing a knife and a drug of dependence, moving him on with the intent to later lay charges.
Former Socceroo captain Craig Foster led the crowd in a chant of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie - oi, oi, oi" and told a large group of Turkish-Australian fans they were welcome.
Chants and hand gestures were frequently exchanged between the two opposing groups.
There was crowd-surfing, blown-up kangaroos, drummers and dancers.
Australian supporters were sent into raptures when Nestory Irankunda opened the scoring in the 27th minute, with people hugging, bottles flying and flags waving.Â
"We were coming in as the underdogs so we didn't expect that many people would come," youngster Angelo Apokis told AAP.
"But there was so many and the atmosphere it created ... when we scored, oh my days."
There were similar scenes at other live sites in every major city across the country, including in Sydney and Adelaide where flares were set off.
At Memorial Drive in Adelaide a 29-year-old man was reported by police for discharging a flare and disorderly behaviour.
As Australia parked the bus in the second half, the mood in Melbourne turned tense but each save by goalkeeper Patrick Beach drew thunderous applause.
It was party time again when midfielder Connor Metcalfe struck a second in the 75th minute against the run of play.
The event at Federation Square, where Australia's men's and women's team fixtures have been shown since the 2006 World Cup in Germany, almost didn't happen.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan overturned an initial Melbourne Arts Precinct-led ban over safety concerns and past poor behaviour following significant public outcry.
Fans were grateful for her intervention.
"We need this," said Melbourne man Shiv.
"The one thing that this country is really great at is the patriotic spirit. This shows that we have the support.
"Soccer isn't the biggest sport, especially in this state. But, mate, look at this."
His friend Duone Do acknowledged the live site screening felt a little different to previous years.
"There's obviously a lot of security now," he said.
"Previously you'd just kind of rock up ... but now you're walking through gates. It's fine."
Chris Hafner, 19 and Harry Falk, 19, also weren't bothered by the security and police or the at-times rowdy behaviour between opposing fans.
"That's what football should be and after the game is done, shake hands," Mr Hafner said.
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