Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton faced off Monday night in the first of three presidential debates in this 2016 cycle.
From taxes to terror to birtherism, the candidates clashed throughout the night in, oftentimes, testy exchanges.
Overall, though, experts say their performances were to be expected.
"All Hillary did was sort of reinforce what everyone knows about her," political strategist Dick Morris told Newsmax TV in a post-debate special. "That she's knowledgeable and competent and articulate."
"But what Trump did was to debunk the rumors and the attacks that he's a horrible person, that he's irresponsible, that he doesn't know what he's talking about, that he's a wild man."
Here are 10 images of Trump and Clinton's head-to-head:
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton shakes hands with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump after the presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, Monday, Sept. 26, 2016. (Joe Raedle/Pool via AP)
Melania Trump and former President Bill Clinton shake hands before the first presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, on September 26, 2016. (Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images)
L: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump listens during the presidential debate (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky). Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton listens to Trump during the presidential debate at Hofstra University (AP Photo/Julio Cortez).
Republican U.S. presidential nominee Donald Trump shakes hands with Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Hillary Clinton at the conclusion of their first presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. (Mike Segar/Reuters)
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump (R) debates Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton as Moderator Lester Holt (C) looks on during the presidential debate. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Republican nominee Donald Trump gestures during the first presidential debate at Hofstra University. (Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images)
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speaks during a debate-watch party at The Space at Westbury on September 26, 2016 in Westbury, New York. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump (R) and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton (L) shake hands after the presidential debate. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton walks off the stage with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, after the presidential debate with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. (Joe Raedle/Pool via AP)
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump (C) kisses his wife, Melania Trump (R), while son, Donald Trump, Jr. (L) looks on after the presidential debate with Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
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