As one glittering Socceroos career came to an emotional end in front of 33, 268 fans at ANZ Stadium, another was only just beginning.

Martin Boyle’s first half brace provided a glimpse into the future, but the night was really only about celebrating one man’s past as the Socceroos beat Lebanon 3-0.

Despite insisting Tim Cahill would only be afforded five minutes in his farewell match, Graham Arnold obliged the crowd by giving the greatest ever Socceroo a 10-minute cameo in his last ever international match.

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The 38-year-old couldn’t add to his 50-goal tally, but that hardly mattered as he received a warm and rousing reception from the crowd when he made his introduction.

As the final whistle sounded, it brought the curtains down on an extraordinary career — one that may only be fully appreciated in hindsight.

Tim Cahill pulls the green and gold on for the final time. Source: Getty Images

But with Cahill waiting on the bench to make his 108th and final international appearance, it was Boyle who drew the first half cheers.

The Scottish-born winger was handed his starting debut and needed just 19 minutes to score his first goal in the green and gold jersey.

The timing could hardly have been more perfect.

Martin Boyle scored twice on his starting debut for the Socceroos. Source: News Corp Australia

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With Cahill’s retirement fast-tracking the search for the Socceroos’ new regular goalscorer, Boyle could very well be it.

By the end of the first half, the 25-year-old had his brace after an opening 45 minute display that showed just why his acquisition could be a shrewd one by Graham Arnold.

Boyle made a nuisance of himself in the opening exchanges in a fluid front three featuring Awer Mabil and Tomi Juric.

His strike from outside the box in the 19th minute took a wicked deflection and his 41st minute goal was an easy tap in after Milos Degenek’s initial header clattered off the bar, but his time double was no less than he deserved.

“He’s bright and he’s fresh and I do believe this Australian team ... do have a little bit of a problem from a mentality perspective,” Mark Bosnich said.

“From a mentality perspective, Martin Boyle is fresh. He’s just come into the situation, you can tell that”.

Arnold made seven changes for the clash, with Rhyan Grant becoming the 600th Socceroo and Milos Degenek, Juric, Mustafa Amini, Jackson Irvine, Boyle and Mabil all handed starts.

With the Socceroos looking comfortable, Arnold rang the changes in the second half. One of them, Leckie, scored just three minutes after coming on to give the home side a three-goal cushion. The assist? Well, it came from Boyle.

Mathew Leckie added the Socceroos’ third in the second half. Source: News Corp Australia

From the 70th minute onwards, the crowd began baying for Cahill’s introduction and the roars came as soon as began his warm-up with 15 minutes of the match remaining.

From a match perspective, Arnold will be satisfied with the result particularly after his team struggled to come away with a draw in their last hitout against South Korea.

But he has less than two months to settle on his starting team for the Asian Cup, with Amini, Boyle, Mabil and Grant all putting in decent showings.

STARTING XI | Here's how we line up tonight against Lebanon.



📺: LIVE on Fox Sports 505, 10 Boss and My Football Live app.#GoSocceroos #AUSvLIB #ThanksTim pic.twitter.com/C4NqV7NUk6 — Caltex Socceroos (@Socceroos) November 20, 2018

Australia Starting XI: Ryan (GK); Grant, Sainsbury, Degenek, Behich; Irvine, Amini, Mooy; Boyle, Mabil, Juric

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