“I get goosebumps”: CommBank Socceroos stars rank Australia's greatest football moments

What happens when three CommBank Socceroos are asked to rank some of the greatest moments in Australian football history without knowing what's coming next?

Plenty of debate, a few difficult decisions and a reminder of the moments that have shaped generations of players and fans.

As Australia takes a new chapter on football's biggest stage, the CommBank Socceroos continue to draw inspiration from the moments that helped build the national team's legacy.

In a recent blind ranking challenge, Maty Ryan, Aziz Behich and Cameron Burgess were tasked with ordering five iconic moments in Socceroos history, without knowing what was still to come.

The list featured everything from John Aloisi's famous penalty against Uruguay to Andrew Redmayne's shootout heroics, Tim Cahill's unforgettable volley, Australia's famous victory over England in 2003 and Archie Thompson's world-record 13-goal haul against American Samoa.

The result was a mix of nostalgia, admiration and a few rankings the players admitted they would change if given a second chance.

The penalty that changed everything

There was one moment that united all three players.

John Aloisi's winning penalty against Uruguay, which ended a 32-year wait to return to football's biggest stage, was ranked number one by Ryan, Behich and Burgess.

Ryan was in the crowd that night and still considers it one of the greatest sporting moments he has witnessed.

"I was definitely there that night. This is probably my best sporting moment I've ever been to as a fan."

Burgess felt the significance extended far beyond the result itself.

"It explains itself, the emotion of the photo, how big of a moment it was for the country and the sport as well," he said.

Behich also placed it at the top of his rankings, partly because of his connection to the man who scored the penalty.

"I get goosebumps. That moment, my ex-teammate and coach, I'm going to give him number one," he said.

Redmayne's heroics earn their place

Few moments in recent memory have captured the imagination of Australian football fans quite like Andrew Redmayne's penalty shootout performance in Doha.

The goalkeeper's dancing antics and decisive save secured Australia's place at the pinnacle of world football and earned him the nickname "The Grey Wiggle".

"It was a special moment," Burgess said.

"I remember watching it and seeing the excitement and all the boys. Yeah, just a massive moment."

Behich was equally emphatic. However, Ryan viewed the moment through a slightly different lens.

"Was a little bit jealous that I wasn't there in the goal to have an opportunity to try and produce for the country again," he admitted.

"But at the same time, the team comes first. And it was a monumental moment."

All three ranked Redmayne's heroics inside their top three.

Cahill's volley still stands the test of time

Tim Cahill's volley against the Netherlands remains one of the most iconic goals ever scored by an Australian footballer.

The strike was immediately recognised by all three players.

"I remember the goal very well," Burgess said.

Behich went one step further.

"Amazing. It's probably one of the best goals of the tournament."

A famous win in London

Australia's shock 3-1 victory over England in 2003 remains one of the country's most celebrated international results.

The Socceroos stunned a star-studded English side featuring David Beckham, while current CommBank Socceroos coach Tony Popovic was among the goalscorers.

Although the moment ranked lower than some of the others, the players still recognised its significance.

"Big game, big result," Burgess said.

A world record that may never be broken

Archie Thompson's record-breaking 13-goal performance against American Samoa remains one of the most remarkable individual achievements in Australian football.

The striker's haul helped Australia record a 31-0 victory and set a benchmark that still stands today.

Ryan knows all about it.

"I mean, he's told me about it himself," he laughed.

Despite the record, Ryan acknowledged that some moments simply carried greater significance.

Behich focused on what scoring for Australia means, regardless of the opponent.

"Any time I think you score, and especially if you score for your national team, it's special," he said.

"It doesn't matter who your opposition is. In the green and gold, I think it always means a lot more."

Burgess admitted the ranking challenge had left him with few options.

"If you're doing this, with the man himself, it would be number one," he said.

"Apologies. But I'm going to have to put it number five."

Whether it was Aloisi's penalty, Redmayne's shootout heroics or Cahill's unforgettable volley, the challenge served as a reminder of the moments that continue to inspire the current generation of CommBank Socceroos.