After their first win, the “Socceroos” have the better cards than the North Africans, who still meet France. The German referee Daniel Siebert impressed in his World Cup debut.
The Australian footballers can hope for their second entry into a World Cup round of 16. The outsider, who works in a rustic way, beat Tunisia 1-0 (1-0) on Saturday (November 26th, 2022) in Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah and scored the first points in the group after 4-1 against France Your. On the last day of the preliminary round, the kickers from Down Under now even have the better starting position for a push into the knockout round.
While they meet Denmark, who are semi-finalists at the European Championship, on Wednesday (30.11.2022 / 4 p.m. CET), Tunisia has to play against defending champions France. After the 0-0 draw against Denmark, the North Africans are bottom of the group with one point. As with your previous five World Cup participations, you are threatened with an early end.
Scorer Duke: “Best day of my life”
“This is the best day of my life, my career so far,” said match winner Mitchell Duke. “But we still have one more job to do.” The 31-year-old also explained his goal celebration – a message for his son Jaxson, who was in the stadium: “The gesture was the letter J, the first letter of his name,” said Duke.
Siebert convinces at World Cup debut
The German referee Daniel Siebert celebrated a successful World Cup premiere. In a heated and at times very rough game, the Berliner and his team always acted confidently.
Duke puts Australia ahead with a header
Tunisia coach Jalel Kadri made just one change in the starting XI after a remarkable draw against Denmark. For Ben Slimane, Naim Sliti was allowed to play from the start on the offensive. For the Australians, Fran Karacic played at right-back for the injured Nathaniel Atkinson.
Losing forbidden – the Australians were clear about that after the opening defeat. They put the Tunisians under pressure from the start and tried to intimidate the technically stronger opponents with their physical presence. The North Africans initially limited themselves to counterattacks without creating dangerous scenes in the penalty area. Consequently, the “Aussies” took the lead. A deflected cross from Craig Goodwin sent Duke skilfully over the top into the far post (23′). A nice goal from the striker, who is usually in the second division of Japan.
Huge chances for Dräger and Msakni
Tunisia got into the game better after that and had two good chances to equalize before the break. After a throw-in on the left, Youssef Msakni put the ball on for Mohamed Dräger, who was free on the right in the penalty area. But at the last moment, the native of Freiburg was blocked by Harry Souttar (41st). However, the towering Australian defender came up late against Msakni in injury time in the first half. The Tunisian captain was staged by Issam Jebali, but put the ball just wide of the right post from seven meters (45+3).
Tunisia better but Aussie defense holds tight
After the break, Tunisia, driven by their vociferous fans, developed a visual advantage. A tactical concept was hardly recognizable in both teams at times. The mere will to win the game led to a wild back and forth between the penalty areas. The Australians seemed to have overdone themselves in the first section. Their few relief attacks rarely brought goal danger.
Sovereign at his World Cup premiere: the Berlin referee Daniel Siebert.
Former Bundesliga professional Mathew Leckie missed a good opportunity to make it 2-0 when he came too late after a low cross from Jamie Maclaren in the six-yard box (71′). At the other end, Msakni, the best Tunisian, took two shots (72′), but keeper Mathew Ryan didn’t let himself be duped – not even with a long-range shot from Bilel Ifa (84′) and a shot from substitute Wahbi Khazri Close range (88th). In doing so, the captain recorded the first World Cup victory for the “Socceroos” in twelve years and kept the hope of progressing alive.