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Land Down Under rattled around the Al Janoub Stadium as Graham Arnold formed a huddle in the centre of the field. Martin Boyle, on crutches, stood by his side as the Socceroos celebrated. It will go down as one of the great images of Australia’s football history, alongside Kaiserslautern in 2006 and Mbombela 2010.
It was just a third victory ever, a second clean sheet ever – the last was in 1974 – and the first win by an Australian coach at the FIFA World Cup. But, much more important, Mitch Duke’s first half header ensured that Australia will go into the last game of the group stage with something to play for.
The win was richly deserved gives them a superb chance of qualifying for the knockout stages for the first time since 2006, with an all-or-nothing clash with Denmark scheduled for 2am AEDT on Thursday.
This was the performance that Socceroos fans had long waited for: the levels of commitment, enthusiasm and organisation were far too much for a Tunisian side that seemed overawed by the occasion. There was a dearth of quality from both sides, but what little there was tended to come from the Australians.
The goal itself was the game’s outstanding moment, a flowing back-to-front move that Duke finished superbly. His performance in leading the line, allied with the calmness of Aaron Mooy in midfield and the strength of Harry Souttar at the back, were the difference between the sides.
(Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
“I’m proud of the boys for showing that great fighting Aussie spirit,” said Arnold. “We were in their faces all the time. I hope we made the nation very proud.
“The other night, we played against the current world champions and the boys had the same effort level. The effort level was incredible. When the doubters hate us, bring it on.
“After the first game I said it was the best friendly we could have had against France, because you make a small mistake and you get punished. A lot of those mistakes were removed tonight and I could not be more proud of the boys.”
Arnold kept faith in the side that lost heavily to France in the first game, with only an injury-induced change bringing Fran Karacic in for Nathaniel Atkinson.
Tunisia did the same, maintaining the 5-3-2 formation that had brought them success against Denmark, but it immediately seemed too defensive. Wahbi Kazri, their most experienced and creative attacker, remained on the bench.
The pressure was all on Australia before kick-off, but when the game began, it was Tunisia who looked like the weight of the world was on their shoulders.
They seemed intimidated by the presence of so many of their fans in the stadium, while their physicality – such a strength in their draw with Denmark – was not tolerated by referee Daniel Siebert.
The Socceroos, too, threw them from their game. The pressing that had been in evidence early on against France was back, but maintained for longer and matched with greater confidence on the ball.
It would be a stretch to describe any of the football as fluent, but a game based on enthusiasm and direct play clearly favoured Australia.
The opener came from the first moment of any quality. The Socceroos went direct to Duke, and his cushioned pass allowed Riley McGree to shift it wide to Craig Goodwin.
His cross was heavily deflected, but Duke twisted superbly to flick beyond Tunisia keeper Aymen Dahmen’s dive. It was no less than the Socceroos deserved.
Tunisia were rattled. Aissa Laidouni was booked for a late challenge and even their subs were losing it, with the ref forced to give Hannibal Mejri a long lecture on the sideline.
Australia were comfortable, but before the half was out, would be given a reminder about the danger posed by the opponents.
First, Kye Rowles was rolled by Issam Jebali, creating a huge chance that Mohamad Dräger would have scored had Souttar not superbly intervened.
Then, in stoppage time, Souttar was beaten to the punch by Youssef Msakni, only for his shot to fly wide.
Dräger was withdrawn at the break and replaced by Ferjani Sassi, with Tunisia moving to a flat back four and an extra man in midfield.
The move worked, pinning Australia back with greater possession, and was assisted by the referee, with the Socceroos now being punished for overly-physical play.
The first chance of the half, however, came for the Socceroos with Goodwin flashing across the face of goal on the break.
Arnold made his first change, replacing Duke with Jamie Maclaren and McGree with Ajden Hrustic, with Tunisian coach Jalel Kadri finally calling Kazri into action.
(Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
Though the game was being played exclusively in the Australian half, the chances continued to come on the break: Maclaren sprung the offside trap but his cross was too strong for Mat Leckie. Msakni remained the most threatening Tunisian and twice had shots saved by Mat Ryan.
With time running out, Tunisia began to go more direct, but with the towering Souttar at the back, it was always likely to be ineffective. He made two important blocks, and when he wasn’t there, Ryan was on hand to deny Kazri.
The now-traditional extended injury time came and the Socceroos dropped to their 18-yard line. In the end, the six minutes passed with minimal incident to secure a famous win.