The game-winning goal by Australia’s Mitchell Duke against Tunisia was dedicated to his kid, and he claimed it was “a moment I will keep very dear for the rest of my life. Australia got off to a good start, and Duke capitalized by expertly flicking Craig Goodwin’s cross into the far corner to give Australia a 1-0 lead after 23 minutes. The small group of Australian supporters behind the goal exploded into an exuberant celebration after that, temporarily silencing the harsh and unyielding support for Tunisia.
Australia beats Tunisia in FIFA World Cup 2022
Australia kept onto the slim lead that keeps their dreams of making it to the round of 16 alive knowing that losing would mean an early exit from the World Cup. When I was chosen for the World Cup, I called my kid, and said, Duke. You need to believe you can score, and I promised my son I’d share that experience with him. A small “J” for his name’s first letter served as the occasion for the celebration. He supposedly did it back to me at the stadium, but I haven’t seen it yet. I shall cherish that moment for the rest of my life.
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At the Al Janoub Stadium, Australia’s players-maintained composure to win their first World Cup match since 2010. They were hissed and jeered throughout the match by ominous groups of red-clad supporters. They managed to hold off a frantic assault from Tunisia in the second half, with Youssef Msakni forcing Mathew Ryan to make a stop at his near post, though that came just a few seconds after Mathew Leckie narrowly missed connecting with Goodwin’s cross at the other end.
As Australia dug in, Stoke City defender Harry Souttar put in a standout display, making many crucial blocks and tackles. Australia will play strong opponents Denmark next, but with qualification still up for grabs after their humiliating loss to France in their opening encounter. It’s only one game at the end of the day. For us, nothing will alter, according to Graham Arnold, the Australia manager. I told the players that although I am really proud, we have not yet accomplished anything. We want to advance as far as we can from where we are.
I want the guys to heal and refocus. I don’t want them to be emotional, staying up all night checking social media and doing stuff like that. Given the competition they will face to advance from Group D—the reigning world champions France and Euro 2020 semifinalist Denmark—this match was essential for both countries. Australia got off to the best possible start by dominating the first 15 minutes and preventing Tunisia from leaving their half. Although the opening crosses from the left by Goodwin were stopped, Tunisia must have been concerned about how easily Australia was gaining possession down that side.
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One of those crosses eventually paid off when Duke skillfully glanced Goodwin’s pass into the far corner. Duke then rushed over to the touchline to a flurry of head pats from his teammates. Though the overwhelming majority of Tunisian supporters at Al Janoub Stadium were not silenced by the goal, their team closed the first half stronger with two significant chances to equalize the score. Just minutes before Tunisia’s captain Msakni almost missed with a volley, Australia’s Souttar produced a key sliding block to stop Mohamed Drager.