by 
Australia held on to a narrow first-half lead to earn a crucial win over Tunisia that keeps their hopes of advancing to the World Cup knockout stages alive.
Knowing defeat would see them exit the competition quickly, Graham Arnold’s side emerged from the blocks full of energy and intent.
Mitchell Duke capitalized on their positive start when he superbly sent Craig Goodwin’s cross into the far corner to put them 1-0 up after 23 minutes.
It sparked a burst of jubilant celebration from the small contingent of Australian supporters behind the goal, which momentarily silenced the hostile and unwavering support for Tunisia.
Hissed and booed by clusters of red-draped Tunisian fans at the Al Janoub Stadium, Australia kept their cool to claim their first World Cup victory since 2010.
They survived a desperate attack from Tunisia in the second half, Youssef Msakni forcing goalkeeper Mathew Ryan into a save at his near post, although it came moments after Mathew Leckie pulled away from the connection with the cross of Goodwin at the other end.
Stoke City defender Harry Souttar put in a superb performance, making several key blocks and tackles as Australia dug in.
Australia, who suffered a humiliating defeat to France in their opening game, will next face Denmark, a tough opponent but with qualification in their hands.
More soon.
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Notation range key = Give up = Sheer Perfection
Tunisia
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squad number16player nameDahmen
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squad number6player nameBronn
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squad number4player nameMeriah
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squad number3player nameTalbi
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squad number20player nameDräger
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squad number17player nameSkiri
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squad number14player nameLaidouni
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squad number24player nameAbdi
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squad number23player nameSliti
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squad numbersevenplayer nameMsakni
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squad number9player namejebali
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squad numbertenplayer nameKhazri
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squad number11player nameKhenisi
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squad number13player nameSassi
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squad number21player nameKechrida
Australia
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squad number1player nameRyan
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squad number5player nameKaracic
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squad number19player nameSudtar
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squad number4player nameRowles
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squad number16player nameBehich
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squad numbersevenplayer nameLeckie
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squad number22player nameirvine
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squad number13player nameMooy
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squad number23player nameGoodwin
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squad number15player nameduke
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squad number14player nameMcGree
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squad number2player nameDegenek
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squad number9player namemaclaren
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squad numbertenplayer nameHrustic
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squad number11player namemabil
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squad number26player nameBaccus
Alignments
Tunisia
Training 3-4-2-1
- 16Dahmen
- 6BronnReplaced byKechridaat 73′minutes
- 4Meriah
- 3Talbi
- 20DrägerReplaced bySassiat 45′minutesBooked at 90 minutes
- 17Skiri
- 14LaidouniBooked at 26 minsReplaced byKhazriat 67′minutes
- 24AbdiBooked at 64 mins
- 23Sliti
- sevenMsakni
- 9jebaliReplaced byKhenisiat 73′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Mathlouthi
- 2If a
- 5Gandri
- 8Mejbri
- tenKhazri
- 11Khenisi
- 12Maaloul
- 13Sassi
- 15Ben Romdhane
- 18chaalali
- 19Jaziri
- 21Kechrida
- 22Ben Said
- 25Ben Slimane
- 26Hassen
Australia
Training 4-4-2
- 1Ryan
- 5KaracicReplaced byDegenekat 75′minutes
- 19Sudtar
- 4Rowles
- 16Behich
- sevenLeckieReplaced byBaccusat 85′minutes
- 22irvine
- 13Mooy
- 23GoodwinReplaced bymabilat 85′minutes
- 15dukeReplaced bymaclarenat 64′minutes
- 14McGreeReplaced byHrusticat 64′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Degenek
- 6Tilio
- 8Wright
- 9maclaren
- tenHrustic
- 11mabil
- 12Redmayne
- 17Devlin
- 18Vukovic
- 20Deng
- 21Kuol
- 24King
- 25cumming
- 26Baccus
- Arbitrator:
- Daniel Sibert
- Presence:
- 41,823
Live Text
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Match ends, Tunisia 0, Australia 1.
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Second Half ends, Tunisia 0, Australia 1.
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Ferjani Sassi (Tunisia) receives a yellow card for handball.
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Handball by Ferjani Sassi (Tunisia).
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Attempt blocked. Wahbi Khazri (Tunisia) right footed shot to the left of the six yard box is blocked.
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Foul by Taha Yassine Khenissi (Tunisia).
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Milos Degenek (Australia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Montassar Talbi (Tunisia).
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Milos Degenek (Australia) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Attempt saved. Wahbi Khazri (Tunisia) left footed shot from the middle of the box sees his shot blocked in the middle of the goal. Assisted by Wajdi Kechrida.
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Attempt blocked. Naïm Sliti (Tunisia) left footed shot from the center of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Taha Yassine Khenissi.
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Attempt blocked. Taha Yassine Khenissi (Tunisia) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Replacement, Australia. Keanu Baccus replaces Mathew Leckie.
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Replacement, Australia. Awer Mabil replaces Craig Goodwin.
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Attempt saved. Montassar Talbi (Tunisia) right footed shot from outside the box sees his shot blocked.
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Foul by Ali Abdi (Tunisia).
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Ajdin Hrustic (Australia) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Coin, Tunisia. Corner conceded by Harry Souttar.
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Wahbi Khazri (Tunisia) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Jackson Irvine (Australia).
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