Match report

Australia Defeats Tunisia 1-0 in World Cup Opener

Tunisia
Tunisia
0–1
FT
Australia
Australia
Nov 26, 2022

Australia stunned Tunisia with a decisive strike by Mitchell Duke in the 23rd minute to secure a vital 1-0 win at the World Cup. Despite efforts from both sides, Australia managed to hold off Tunisia's late pressure and secure all three points in their Group D opener.

Key Facts

  • • Mitchell Duke scored the only goal of the match for Australia in the 23rd minute.
  • • Tunisia received two yellow cards, given to A. Laïdouni (26') and A. Abdi (64').
  • • Fousseni Diabaté made three substitutions for Tunisia in the second half.
  • • Australia made five changes including J. Maclaren replacing Mitchell Duke.

Lineups

Tunisia

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 16 A. Dahmen (G)
  • 6 D. Bronn (M)
  • 4 Y. Meriah (M)
  • 3 M. Talbi (D)
  • 20 M. Dräger (D)
  • 17 E. Skhiri (M)
  • 14 A. Laïdouni (M)
  • 24 A. Abdi (D)
  • 23 N. Sliti (F)
  • 7 Y. Msakni (F)
  • 9 I. Jebali (F)

Substitutes

  • 13 F. Sassi
  • 10 W. Khazri
  • 21 W. Kechrida
  • 11 T. Khenissi
  • 26 M. Hassen
  • 22 B. Ben Saïd
  • 25 A. Ben Slimane
  • 12 A. Maâloul
  • 5 N. Ghandri
  • 19 S. Jaziri
  • 8 H. Mejbri
  • 2 B. Ifa
  • 15 M. Ben Romdhane
  • 1 A. Balbouli
  • 18 G. Chaalali

Australia

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

  • 1 M. Ryan (G)
  • 5 F. Karačić (D)
  • 19 H. Souttar (D)
  • 4 K. Rowles (M)
  • 16 A. Behich (D)
  • 22 J. Irvine (D)
  • 13 A. Mooy (M)
  • 14 R. McGree (F)
  • 7 M. Leckie (M)
  • 15 M. Duke (F)
  • 23 C. Goodwin (M)

Substitutes

  • 9 J. Maclaren
  • 10 A. Hrustić
  • 2 M. Degenek
  • 11 A. Mabil
  • 26 K. Baccus
  • 17 C. Devlin
  • 8 B. Wright
  • 25 J. Cummings
  • 20 T. Deng
  • 12 A. Redmayne
  • 24 J. King
  • 18 D. Vukovic
  • 21 G. Kuol
  • 6 M. Tilio

Timeline

  1. Australia
    23' Australia Goal · Normal Goal
    Mitchell Duke
  2. Tunisia
    26' Tunisia Card · Yellow Card
    A. Laïdouni

    Foul

  3. Tunisia
    46' Tunisia subst · Substitution 1
    Off: M. Dräger · On: F. Sassi
  4. Tunisia
    64' Tunisia Card · Yellow Card
    A. Abdi

    Foul

  5. Australia
    64' Australia subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Mitchell Duke · On: J. Maclaren
  6. Australia
    64' Australia subst · Substitution 2
    Off: R. McGree · On: A. Hrustic
  7. Tunisia
    67' Tunisia subst · Substitution 2
    Off: A. Laïdouni · On: W. Khazri
  8. Tunisia
    73' Tunisia subst · Substitution 3
    Off: D. Bronn · On: W. Kechrida
  9. Tunisia
    73' Tunisia subst · Substitution 4
    Off: I. Jebali · On: T. Khenissi
  10. Australia
    75' Australia subst · Substitution 3
    Off: F. Karačić · On: M. Degenek
  11. Australia
    85' Australia subst · Substitution 4
    Off: C. Goodwin · On: Awer Mabil
  12. Australia
    85' Australia subst · Substitution 5
    Off: M. Leckie · On: K. Baccus
  13. Tunisia
    90'+3 Tunisia Card · Yellow Card
    F. Sassi

    Handball

Match Stats

Stat Tunisia Australia
Fouls 16 15
Pass Accuracy 76% 68%
Offsides 3 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 14 9
Corners 5 2
Total Passes 497 351
Yellow Cards 3 0
Blocked Shots 6 2
Shots on Target 4 2
Shots off Target 4 5
Possession 58% 42%
Accurate Passes 378 239
Shots Inside Box 9 6
Saves 1 4
Shots Outside Box 5 3

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ The early goal by Mitchell Duke at 23' shifted momentum towards Australia, giving them a psychological edge over Tunisia.
  • ▸ Tunisia's two yellow cards in the first half disrupted their rhythm and ability to push for an equalizer.