At the Allianz Arena Brazil walked out in their traditional yellow shirts and blue shorts with a line-up packed full of legends: Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Kaka, Ronaldinho and, perhaps the greatest of them all, Ronaldo.
Australia held out until half-time, with Popovic unfortunate to be withdrawn through injury. All he could do was watch as Brazil scored twice after the break to register all three points.
The Socceroos earned a draw in the final group game against Croatia to qualify for the knockouts, where they controversially lost to future champions Italy with the final kick of the game, after a hugely subjective penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Just five days ago, Popovic – whose coaching staff includes another former Eagles captain in Mile Jedinak – became the first-ever Australian to both play for and coach the Socceroos at a World Cup Finals, as his team defeated Turkey 2-0 in Vancouver.
Quite the journey.
