AL WAKRAH — Australia beat Tunisia 1-0 at the Al Janoub Stadium on Saturday to register their first World Cup victory in 12 years as they provisionally moved up to second in Group D behind reigning champions France.
Striker Mitchell Duke scored midway through the first half with a glancing header past keeper Aymen Dahmen to give Australia the lead, while Tunisia's best chance came when skipper Youssef Msakni shot just wide.
AUSTRALIA BREAKS THROUGH
Mitch Duke puts the Socceroos on top! pic.twitter.com/UgDzjNY66l— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 26, 2022
This header by Mitchell Duke was *chef's kiss* pic.twitter.com/ToVY3M8blf
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 26, 2022
Tunisia brought on the squad's top scorer Wahbi Khazri in the second half as they upped the tempo in search of an equalizer, but the Australian defence stood firm with goalkeeper and skipper Mat Ryan a calming presence at the back.
Harry Souttar said NOPE
He shuts down a huge chance for Tunisia pic.twitter.com/735EV26IDJ— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 26, 2022
What a tackle by Australia pic.twitter.com/6RN2YQKCTu
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 26, 2022
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 play Denmark in the other Group D encounter later on Saturday.
Reactions in Australia to Mitchell Duke's goal
Fed Square: that’s the tweet. pic.twitter.com/vT3JbuVDYv
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) November 26, 2022
#Socceroos opening the score and Fed Square living it properly. pic.twitter.com/oMMgaH47yo
— Rob (@JRZZ_7) November 26, 2022
Scenes at Fed Square #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/mZKX8RNfow
— Tyson Whelan (@tyson_whelan) November 26, 2022
SCENES!!! pic.twitter.com/umzMcIPuzx
— Subway ALM (@TheRealALM) November 26, 2022
Celebration scenes for Australia pic.twitter.com/F2AJ0SnqW7
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 26, 2022
FULL TIME SCEEEENES pic.twitter.com/W390Z74dcV
— Subway ALM (@TheRealALM) November 26, 2022
(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Al Wakrah; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
