Socceroos striker Mitch Duke has given Australia a 1-0 lead at halftime with a stunning header to give the nation hope of snapping a 12-year drought.
Australia hasn’t won a match at the World Cup since the 2010 tournament but Duke put the Socceroos in the box seat against Tunisia.
The Socceroos were strong in the first half and earned the better of the chances, opening the scoring when Duke deflected the ball just inside the far post.
It was a brilliant moment which sparked wild celebrations from the Aussie bench who flooded onto the field, much to the chagrin of the mainly Tunisian-supporting crowd.
The goal makes Duke the eighth goalscorer for the Socceroos in World Cup history.
The world was quick to react to the brilliant goal as Duke redirected it into the perfect spot for the goal.
“Wow, what a start,” Kewell said in commentary. “Unbelievable! That is unbelievable. You know how difficult that is? That is the perfect header for us.”
The Athletic’s Jack Collins tweeted: “Sensational from Mitchell Duke. The touch in the middle to set that whole move off, and then the finesse on that header to guide it into the far corner. Really, really good stuff.”
BBC Africa’s Katami Michelle posted: “Perfect position. A good header from Duke. Tunisia trailing Australia by a goal.”
The Guardian’s Nick Evershed added: “yieeww Mitch Duke insane header”.
But what truly won fans over was the moment he shared with his son Jaxson.
Duke ran to the corner where his son was sitting, seemingly making a “J” with his fingers.
Jaxson responded in kind and with a giant smile on his face for his dad.
After the match, Duke was still blown away by the achievement.
“No words, such a big moment for my family and my supporters, it is the best feeling in the world, but try not to get too caught up because there is one more game to win and get out of the group,” he said.
“The best moment of my life and my football career, there are no words can make. Just so happy and proud of the boys. We made so many sacrifices to get here. It is the best feeling in the world.
“Honestly, I will go to war with these boys. A huge shift by the lads, keeping the clean sheet and getting a result, we fought until the end, everyone gave 110 per cent and that is all you can ask. We showed the Aussie spirit and we got the result.”
