The Socceroos have claimed their first World Cup win in 12 years with a 1-0 win over Tunisia in Qatar.
It was additionally arguably the very best Australian efficiency at a World Cup since 2006.
A dominant first half produced the one aim of the sport from Mitch Duke, earlier than the Socceroos withstood intense Tunisian strain within the second time period to assert a well-known victory.
Listed here are our participant rankings, in a sport the place it is exhausting to choose a man-of-the-match amid so many robust performances.
Mathew Ryan — 10/10
Australia’s goalkeeper was, in a phrase, faultless. You may not have requested something extra of him. Not solely did he pull of a string of tremendous saves within the second half, his decision-making was excellent, selecting the best time to launch out of his aim to assert crosses or punch the ball to security. His calmness beneath intense strain rubbed off on his teammates as nicely.
Fran Karačić — 6.5/10
The appropriate again, introduced in to exchange the injured Nathanial Atkinson, was strong in defence and because the match wore on, extra inclined to get ahead and provide help to Leckie in assault. Unspectacular however a key aspect in Graham Arnold’s tactical plan.
Harry Souttar — 10/10
A efficiency that can go down in folklore. There have been issues earlier than this sport that the 1.98m Scotsman would not have the legs to finish one other sport after coming back from long-term harm, however he did not cease working all day. He additionally pulled of a collection of excellent interventions as Tunisia streamed ahead within the second half, embody one epic block and one last-ditch sliding deal with for the ages. As within the sport in opposition to France, his lengthy balls out of defence have been the place to begin of lots of Australia’s greatest assaults, together with for the aim.
Kye Rowles — 6.5/10
There have been a few shaky moments for Australia’s different centre-back, however he by no means panicked and largely stood tall beside his associate Souttar.
Aziz Behich — 8/10
Alongside Irvine, Behich is maybe probably the most passionate, fire-breathing Socceroo, and this sport was made for him. He used his expertise to know when he was wanted in defence, and when it was time to bomb ahead down the left flank in assault. His combos with Craig Goodwin precipitated all types of points for Tunisia.
Mathew Leckie — 9/10
Cementing his place as one of many Socceroos’ World Cup greats, Leckie was concerned in lots of Australia’s greatest moments in assault, and was all the time accessible as defensive cowl as nicely. He patrolled the appropriate flank like a demon, however someway additionally managed to indicate up at different components of the pitch when he was wanted.
Jackson Irvine — 7/10
Did what he all the time does, battled for each ball in midfield and made life troublesome for the opposition. Maybe began to tire a little bit within the second half as Tunisia turned the screws.
Aaron Mooy — 7.5/10
His distribution was important and he performed a giant half in Australia’s dominance within the first half. He was much less concerned for durations within the second half, however his ability on the ball helped Australia work their manner out of some tough conditions within the remaining minutes.
Craig Goodwin — 9/10
One other of Australia’s greatest gamers, Goodwin was time and time once more concerned within the Socceroos’ greatest strikes down the left.
His set piece supply was glorious, although did not result in many clear-cut probabilities. It was his deflected cross which resulted in Duke’s aim.
Mitchell Duke — 9/10
Duke’s aim was a brilliantly executed header. Not solely did he have to regulate to the cross after it modified trajectory, he needed to generate sufficient energy and angle to direct it into the nook of the web. It was a aim price of the event. And let’s not overlook he began the transfer that led to it as nicely with a deft contact close to the midway line.
Other than the aim, it was a basic centre-forward efficiency, providing a goal for his teammates, utilizing his physicality and bullying defenders.
Riley McGree — 8/10
Arnold opted to stay with McGree in his beginning XI quite than Hrustic, and in the long run the choice was vindicated. Very good in transition, he was a giant a part of the fluidity of the Socceroos’ motion that so troubled the Tunisians.
Subs
Jamie Maclaren — 6.5/10
Ajdin Hrustić — 6/10
Miloš Degenek — no score
Awer Mabil — 5/10
Keanu Baccus — no score
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