Australia secured a hard-earned 1-0 win over Tunisia to boost their chances of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup round of 16.
Starting Lineup
Tunisia: Aymen Dahmen; Montassar Talbi, Yassine Meriah, Dylan Bronn; Ali Abdi, Aïssa Laïdouni, Ellyes Skhiri, Mohamed Drager; Youssef Msakni, Issam Jebali, Naim Sliti.
Australia: Mathew Ryan; Fran Karacic, Kye Rowles, Harry Souttar, Aziz Behich; Jackson Irvine, Aaron Mooy, Riley McGree; Craig Goodwin, Mitchell Duke, Mathew Leckie.
This was the third time both teams have met, with a win apiece between them. The group was still open for both teams going into the game.
Tunisia held Denmark to a goalless draw, while Australia suffered a defeat at the hands of France in their opening game.
It was a cagey affair between the two sides as the first half started. Tunisia needed to pick something out of the game ahead of their last match against France.
The North Africans showed some level of dominance and control in the game but hardly made it down the Australian box.
None of the two sides could hold possession as much as possible, and Australia gradually asserted themselves in the game as it progressed.
However, it was largely a scrappy game, with forlorn passes, no clear and clinical chance, and no sustained pressure.
Australia came across their first clear chance in the game in the 23rd minute, and they converted it in style to take the lead.
It was Duke with the goal for the Socceroos. Duke scored a glancing header, heading into the right corner after a deflection perfectly fell on his way.
The Carthage Eagles could not respond, but they began picking up their attacking pace and pressed the Australians.
The game continued with nothing happening again between both teams as Australia successfully defended their 1-0 lead till the end of the first half.
Nothing really happened as the second half kicked off. Tunisia made some changes to try and chisel the game without a breakthrough.
However, the North Africans came close in the 52nd minute with a scramble in the Australian box, but a panicking Australian defence successfully cleared it.
Tunisia were beginning to mount more pressure as the game edged towards the final 10 minutes. At this point, Australia were leading with a lone goal.
Australia made some changes as they tried to retain the lead and regain control of the game, while Tunisia continued to press for an equaliser.
The Socceroos held on and stopped the Tunisians, while relying on counter attack to launch their offensives.
The atmosphere in the stadium as the game approached the final minutes was intense, as Australia continued to look for their first win in the tournament.
Tunisia failed to score as the game finally ended with Australia securing all three points to boost their chances of qualifying for round 16 of the 2022 World Cup.
They will face Denmark in their last match, while Tunisia will play France. The Carthage Eagles need a win against Les Bleus to make it to the round of 16.
