Australia stay alive in FIFA World Cup with win over Tunisia

Mitchell Duke scored the winner

By Web Desk
November 26, 2022
Mitchell Duke is the second Australian player to score a header at the World Cup — AFP

DOHA: Australia have defeated Tunisia 1-0 to stay alive in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

For Australia, Mitchell Duke scored the winner in the 23rd minute of the match after a a glancing header past keeper Aymen Dahmen.

Duke is the second Australian player to score a header at the World Cup, after Tim Cahill who did so twice against Serbia in 2010 and Chile in 2014, respectively.

Tunisia brought on the squad's highest scorer Wahbi Khazri in the second half while looking an equaliser, but the Australian defence was solid with goalkeeper and skipper Mat Ryan leading the way. 

The Japan-based centre-forward, 31, exchanged angry words with the Tunisian bench when he was bundled over on the half-hour mark.

The skirmish ended in a shake of the hand with substitute Hannibal Mejbri, the Manchester United teenager.

Another English-based player, defender Harry Souttar of Stoke City, made a heroic last-ditch block from the dangerous Msakni as half-time approached.

Tunisia´s fans had their heads in their hands in injury time when Msakni finally escaped Souttar, only to sidefoot wide from close range.

Coach Jalel Kadri brought off Drager at the break and replaced him with a midfielder, Ferjani Sassi, and a match that had simmered up to that point threatened to boil over.

Australia were playing on the break and were inches away from a second but Mathew Leckie could not connect on a low cross as he slid in front of goal.

Minutes later goalkeeper and skipper Mathew Ryan denied Msakni from close range and Australia just about held on under intense pressure to leave Tunisia´s World Cup campaign in deep trouble.

This was Australia's second clean sheet at the FIFA World Cup, and first in 15 games since a goalless draw with Chile in 1974.

The victory snapped Australia's seven-match winless run at World Cups since they last picked up three points in a victory over Serbia in 2010. 

France will face Denmark in the other Group D encounter later on Saturday.

Australia sit second in Group D with three points from two games, having been well-beaten 4-1 by holders France in their opening match.  

Australia will lock horns with Denmark — who play France later Saturday — in their final group game as they look to secure a place in the round of 16. 

Their best World Cup performance came in 2006 when they also reached the last 16, with the likes of Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka part of the team. 

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