FIFA World Cup 2022

FIFA World Cup 2022 Match 21 Report: Mitchell Duke powers Australia to a win over Tunisia by 1-0

The exciting action in the FIFA World Cup 2022 continued on Saturday as Australia and Tunisia clashed in the 21^st match of the tournament at Al Janoub Stadium. Australia, who lost their opening game to France on Tuesday, went into the game knowing that another defeat would end their World Cup campaign with a game to spare.

The Socceroos, however, put their loss behind them and came up with a brilliant show to register their first World Cup victory in 12 years moving 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.

Seeing the game getting out of hand, Tunisia brought on the squad’s top scorer Wahbi Khazri in the second half as they upped the tempo in search of an equaliser, but the Australian defence stood firm with goalkeeper and skipper Mat Ryan a calming presence at the back.

The victory ended Australia’s seven-match winless run at World Cups since they last won against Serbia in 2010 and picked up three points. This was their overall just third victory at the grand stage of the World Cup.

Tunisia had been impressive in their opening match against Denmark which ended in a 0-0 draw on Tuesday but struggled to contain Australia in the first 30 minutes, with the African side repeatedly exposing their weaknesses.

Tunisia improved after the break but struggled to break down a resolute Australia. They belatedly began to exert some pressure on Australia and tried their best to score the equaliser when smart hold-up play from Issam Jebali helped to set up Mohamed Drager, but his close-range shot was blocked by a brilliant sliding tackle from Harry Souttar.

Following their loss, Tunisia are at the bottom of Group D with just one point and zero goals to their name.