Fran Karacic
6.5
Replacing the injured Nathaniel Atkinson, he had quite a few difficult moments early on, turning over possession in dangerous positions – and against a better team, he would have been punished. Misplaced passes also stunted good attacking moves for the Socceroos. Recovered well to run out his 75 minutes.
Harry Souttar
9.5
Does Rolls-Royce make heavy machinery? Even if it did, it wouldn’t perform as smoothly or as efficiently as big Harry Souttar, who was simply impenetrable at the back, and strong as ever with his passing game. The best individual performance by a Socceroo in years, maybe ever. Future captain, surely bound for the Premier League. There aren’t enough superlatives.
Harry Souttar was brilliant in defence for the Socceroos.Credit:Getty Images
Kye Rowles
7
His unfortunate slip with five minutes to go was a real heart-in-mouth moment but fortunately for him, Souttar was there to save his bacon – just as Rowles was on plenty of other occasions for plenty of other players. A vastly improved performance after a poor one against France, back to his dependable best, aside from that one mistake.
Aziz Behich
8
A very solid afternoon at the office, standing up in duels with reckless abandon and thriving in an intimidatory atmosphere that he had said pre-match would only give him “fire in the belly”. He was spot on.
Aaron Mooy
9
Now that’s much more like the Mooy we know and love. Had a rough night in Australia’s opener but was ever-present here – calm in possession, as you’d expect, but also with his defensive actions, which you wouldn’t. Importantly was on a yellow card and escaped a caution and the suspension that would have come with it.
Back to his best: Aaron Mooy.Credit:AP
Jackson Irvine
8.5
Like Mooy, all-action Jackson was in yellow card trouble but dodged the referee’s attention despite throwing himself about for the full 90. Was the most accurate passer on the ground of any player who featured for more than a half, and ran as if his life depended on it, never giving Tunisia’s midfield a chance to function.
Riley McGree
7
Given the nod ahead of Ajdin Hrustic in attacking midfield, and after a dodgy outing against France. Was involved in the build-up play that led to Mitch Duke’s goal but needs to be more dynamic on his own accord going forward. Still building as a player at this level, and will be so much better for this experience in Qatar.
Mathew Leckie
8
Should have sealed it for Australia in the second half but couldn’t get to Jamie Maclaren’s cutback – maybe he was out of juice after covering for Karacic so many times. This was a war, and he was one of coach Graham Arnold’s most hardened soldiers.
Mitch Duke
9
Barely saw the ball against Les Bleus but showed exactly why Arnold has shown so much faith in him over the years. Worked hard in every way and took his goal brilliantly – still had so much to do when the ball from the left came in for him. A night he’ll never forget.
Mitch Duke was on target for the Socceroos.Credit:AP
Craig Goodwin
8.5
Backed up extremely well after scoring against France, and set up Duke’s goal with a deflected cross. Looked a threat every time he had the ball. He’s happy at Adelaide United, his hometown club, but has the talent to play at a much higher level, and may yet get offers given his strong World Cup thus far.
Substitutes
Ajdin Hrustic
7
Didn’t start as most expected, but came on for the last 26 minutes. Looked a little rusty, as you’d expect in the circumstances, but will be better for the run, and surely in the mix for a bigger role against Denmark.
Jamie Maclaren
8
Given his first taste of action at the tournament and was muscled off the ball a couple of times, but generally made a nuisance of himself. Created an opportunity that should have been finished off by his Melbourne City clubmate Leckie that would have sealed the game.
Milos Degenek
7
Came on for Karacic and brought the “lion mentality” he spoke so eloquently about before the match. Solid if unspectacular – but that was his job, after all.
Awer Mabil, Keanu Baccus
N/A
Played the last five minutes each, not enough to make an impact – although Mabil looked lost defensively in a couple of moments, and fortunately didn’t cost his side at the death.
