CNN
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Australia received its first World Cup match since June 2010, defeating Tunisia 1-0 to offer itself an opportunity of qualifying for the knockout phases in Qatar.
A superb header from Mitch Duke within the first half proved the distinction between the 2 sides, as Tunisia spurned likelihood after likelihood and couldn’t discover a well past the cussed Australian protection.
For each groups, in search of to achieve the knockout phases from a gaggle containing heavyweights France and Denmark, this was a must-win sport.
The Eagles of Carthage kicked off with the wind at their backs, having secured a 0-0 draw towards Denmark of their opening match, whereas Australia had succumbed 4-1 to defending champion France and wanted a win to maintain them within the hunt for qualifying.
Australia started the stronger of the 2 groups, pinning Tunisia in its personal half through the opening skirmishes and the Socceroos took the early lead with an end-to-end objective.
They labored the ball up discipline, with Craig Goodwin discovering house down the left wing and firing a cross into the field which, regardless of a deflection, discovered Duke who leaped into the air to rocket the ball into the objective with a glancing header.
Mobbed by teammates, Duke made a ‘J’ along with his palms, a message to his younger son Jaxson watching within the stands who responded in type and with a thumbs-up.
Tunisia had possibilities to equalize earlier than half-time as Mohamed Drager lined up a shot on objective however Harry Souttar swept the ball away and out of hazard, earlier than Youssef Msakni put the ball extensive with the objective open in entrance of him.
The Eagles of Carthage saved urgent after the break however, regardless of engineering a number of makes an attempt on objective, they might not unlock Australia’s protection.
With 5 minutes of normal time left, immediately the sport opened up and Tunisia poured ahead on the counterattack.
As soon as once more, it was Souttar who got here to Australia’s rescue, defending his facet’s slender lead and Australia held on for a historic victory.