Australia overcame their opening-game loss to France by defeating Tunisia 1-0 on Saturday to move up to second place in Group D.Even though the Socceroos defence played flawlessly that day, Mitchell Duke’s header proved to be the game-changing moment.Australia had the initiative right off the bat and immediately posed a threat to the Tunisian penalty area. The African team quickly found their feet and gradually entered the game.
Youssef Msakni, the captain of Tunisia, had the first chance to score, but the Socceroos defence immediately crowded him out before he could take a shot. Australia’s persistence was rewarded in the 23rd minute when Duke found himself in the box and deflected a cross past Dahmen of Tunisia and into the net. Coincidentally, this was the 50th goal in the current World Cup.
Tunisia struggled to find rhythm and tempo in their attacks after the goal, which appeared to demoralise them. However, they regained their composure and had it not been for Harry Souttar’s well placed stop to avert a goal in the 40th minute, they might have tied the game.
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The African team’s greatest opportunity came in the last seconds of the first half, when captain Mskani had a magnificent opportunity but missed it.Australia maintained their lead going into halftime and immediately fell behind after the game resumed. Despite a few crosses from the Tunisian attackers into the Socceroos’ penalty area, Mat Ryan remained largely untested. Australia had the first significant chance of the second half but Tunisia continued to put pressure on them. Even though Mathew Leckie was in the box, the cross coming from the left eluded him. As the game gradually got end-to-end as we entered the final quarter, the African team rang in the changes in an effort to score the equaliser.
In the dying seconds of the game, the Socceroos’ defence stood firm, and Souttar delivered a standout performance that earned him the title of Man of the Match with several key challenges. Wahbi Khazri had a wonderful opportunity to tie the score in the 88th minute, but Ryan was up to the challenge and ultimately had an easy stop to make.Despite their best attempts, Tunisia was unable to penetrate Australia’s defence, which allowed Australia to secure the victory. Now, the African squad will play the reigning winners France, while the Socceroos will face Denmark in their final group game.
Later on Sunday, Argentina will face Mexico.
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