This was it, the moment the most-expensive English footballer in history made his debut for his new club.
Widely criticised in some places, vilified in others and downright abused by a minority, Raheem Sterling took to the field as a Manchester City player for the first time since his £49million move from Liverpool.
Any thoughts that the England starlet would be eased into life at his new club was quickly erased when the teamsheets were announced at Melbourne's MCG: A starting role instead. At the home of Australian cricket, all eyes would only be on one man.
As he came out to warm up, there were some boos. "Stupid" according to Samir Nasri. Within a minute of kickoff, there were cat calls and howls of derision, as the 21-year-old took his first touch, mis-controlling and slipping over.
At that point, lesser men would've been happy to have the ground open up and swallow them hole. But that's the thing with Sterling; he doesn't hide. He didn't during three years at Liverpool, whether asked to play wide, as a No.10, a central striker or a wing-back. He didn't when, as a 17-year-old, Brendan Rodgers flung him in for his debut against City. He didn't during protracted contract negotiations, even going in front of the cameras with that ill-advised interview to the BBC.
And he certainly didn't here.Eighty-seven seconds after his stumble, Sterling fired the perfect riposte to his detractors. As Kelechi Iheanacho, the young striker who was extemely impressive, turned and lifted his head, Sterling made his move. Stand out wide left and get the easy pass to feet? It wasn't even in his mind.
The moment Iheanacho's head rose, he gambled, timing his run perfectly and hoping that the youngster could play the pass. The Nigerian forward did, and from there Sterling's touch was assured, before he coolly placed past Morgan de Sanctis.
Interestingly, Bruno Zuculini had broken through also, an open net at the Argentine's mercy. Certainly Sterling, by no means the cleanest of finishers, could've been forgiven if he had played the ball square. In a similar situation at Cardiff 15 months ago, Suarez slammed home. Such conviction in one's own ability separates good players from very good ones. Sterling has taken note. Just as he has been since deciding to take his talents away from Anfield, Sterling backed himself. And he won, handing his new side the lead.
From there, he looked at home, whatever the noise aimed at him from the crowd - featuring a fair share of Liverpool-supporting Australians. He terrorised Alessandro Florenzi, the Roma right-back, and should have won a penalty when the Italian international tripped him, having been turned inside out for seemingly the umpteenth time.
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