DOHA, Qatar — Australia‘s unlikely hopes of a clinching a round-of-16 berth are not yet dead as they stunned Tunisia 1-0 at the Al Janoub Stadium to record their first win at the World Cup since 2010.
Looking to bounce back after a heavy defeat to France in their opening game of the group stage, the Socceroos found their nerve and took the lead through a Mitchell Duke header in the 23rd minute. It was a just reward for Australia, who looked much more like the assured and physical side that coach Graham Arnold has sought to build across this World Cup cycle.
Playing in what their local press had deemed the biggest game in their history after a 0-0 draw with Denmark put them in a strong position after Matchday One, Tunisia were spurred to life by Duke’s opener and had the better of the game’s chances as play wore on. But, looking like they were feeling the weight of the occasion, couldn’t find a way beyond Mat Ryan.
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Rapid Reaction
1. Duke leads the way for Australia
Almost straight from kickoff, it was obvious that the high-stakes nature of the fixture was playing on the minds of both teams. Passes were mis-hit, first touches ricocheted away, and the game was played with the kind of frenetic energy that can only be produced when both sets of players want to move the ball on as quickly as possible and not be the one that makes a mistake.
Looking to play on the front foot and largely control the territory battle during these exchanges, Australia were frequently able to work the ball in positions to send deliveries into the Tunisia penalty area in the early exchanges, only for the defence to get in the way at the vital moment.
Tunisia, conversely, was largely restricted to playing on the counter; though this allowed them the best opportunity of the opening 20 minutes when Issam Jebali found space on the right and cut the ball back to Youssef Msakni, only for the Tunisian captain to fluff his lines. Mohamed Drager had a long-range chance moments later, but couldn’t contain his enthusiasm and blasted several yards over the crossbar.
It was at this point that the largely Tunisian crowd raised its voice, sensing a shift in momentum towards the Eagles of Carthage, only for Duke to send them quiet again. Knocking down a long ball forward from keeper Ryan to Riley McGree, he sprinted forward to meet Craig Goodwin’s deflected cross and put his side ahead with a fine header.
All goals are vital, but this one was especially so. Tunisia had failed to pick up a single win across their past 30 matches when conceding first, and Australia needed a settler to ground themselves after the France defeat.
Effectively the avatar of Arnold’s concept of “Aussie DNA,” Duke’s energy, pressing and sheer combativeness gave his opponents issues throughout the first half — the striker at one point clashing with Hannibal Mejbri on the Tunisian bench. The work of McGree, who worked diligently to support his striker and pick up loose balls and layoffs, was also key as the Socceroos looked to move up the pitch.
Australia didn’t produce much in the way of attacking threat for much of the rest of the afternoon — a Jamie Maclaren cross that Mat Leckie couldn’t connect with late in the contest was their most notable — and produced just over half of Tunisia’s xG across the 90. But it didn’t matter.
