Tunisia vs Australia LIVE: World Cup 2022 result, final score and reaction as Socceroos claim vital win

Australia and Tunisia are going head to head in a crucial Group D match at the Qatar World Cup.

Both sides are looking for their first win of the tournament at the Al Janoub Stadium, after Tunisia shared a goalless draw with Denmark in their opening match, while Australia were well beaten by the reigning champions France. Any victory here will give the winners a real shot at progressing to the knockout rounds, with France and Denmark meeting later today, in which these two sides will be hoping France can inflict maximum damage in order to open up second spot in the group.

Tunisia and Australia have met only twice before: the Australians won a friendly in 1997, and Tunisia won their only competitive meeting at the 2005 Confederations Cup.

Follow all the action with our live blog below:

Tunisia vs Australia

• Australia beat Tunisia 1-0 in Group D of World Cup 2022 to record first win of the tournament

• Tunisia must now defeat France to progress whilst Australia boost their chances of reaching the knockouts

• 72’ - CHANCE! Leckie can’t reach a squared pass and misses out on a tap-in (TUN 0-1 AUS)

• 41’ - CHANCE! Souttar’s last ditch block denies Drager (TUN 0-1 AUS)

• 23’ - GOAL! Duke sends Aussies ahead with fine headed finish (TUN 0-1 AUS)

• 21’ - SHOT! Drager has a go from range and lifts his effort over the crossbar (TUN 0-0 AUS)

Poland vs Saudi Arabia

12:05 , Michael Jones

Reaction from Australia’s victory over Tunisia still to come but we’re looking ahead to the next game of the day now as Poland take on Saudi Arabia.

Here’s a look at the two line-ups:

Poland XI: Szczesny, Bereszynski, Glik, Kiwior, Cash, Bielik, Krychowiak, Frankowski, Zielinski, Milik, Lewandowski

Saudi Arabia XI: Al Owais, Abdulhamid, Al Amri, Al Bulayhi, Al Burayk, Al Wahbi Al Malki, Al Brikan, Al Naji, Kanno, Al Dawsari, Al Shehri

Full-time: Tunisia 0-1 Australia

11:58 , Michael Jones

90+6 mins: There’s the full-time whistle. Australia take all three points, what a win this is for the Socceroos. They respond brilliantly from their 4-1 defeat to France and keep themselves in contention for a spot in the knockout rounds.

Tunisia have it all to do. They play the world champions in the final group game and need to win to have any chance of progressing.

Tunisia 0-1 Australia

11:56 , Michael Jones

90+3 mins: Tunisia have persisted with crosses from wide as their main method of attack but they’ve not been successful. Mat Ryan comes out and claims the most recent attempt before Harry Souttar belts the ball as far down the pitch as he can.

Tunisia 0-1 Australia

11:52 , Michael Jones

90 mins: Six minutes of added time! There’s still time enough for some late drama in this game. Will Australia hold out or can Tunisia score an equaliser?

Tunisia 0-1 Australia

11:49 , Michael Jones

87 mins: Montassar Talbi has a dart from outside the box but sends his effort straight into the hands of Mat Ryan.

Naim Sliti then dribbles into the area but doesn’t find a way around Harry Souttar who makes two good blocks in succession to keep Australia ahead.

Tunisia 0-1 Australia

11:45 , Michael Jones

84 mins: There’s an optimistic penalty shout for handball as Australia deal with a Tunisian corner. VAR takes a look but says that play should go on.

The Aussies send a throw in down the right wing where it gets chested over to Hrustic who wins the Socceroos a free kick in the middle of the park.

Tunisia 0-1 Australia

11:43 , Michael Jones

81 mins: More stoppages as more changes are made. Taha Yassine Khenissi and Wajdi Kechrida are on for Tunisia with Australia sending on Milos Degenek to shut up shop.

Tunisia 0-1 Australia

11:41 , Michael Jones

78 mins: Mathew Leckie takes a knock and needs a bit of treatment before coming back onto the pitch. Tunisia aren’t happy with how long it’s taken to assess that there’s not much wrong with him.

They don’t need to worry as that time will be added back on at the end of the 90.

Tunisia 0-1 Australia

11:39 , Michael Jones

75 mins: There are a lot of nervous faces in the crowd from both sets of fans. This is a huge match for for both teams and the result could determine who remains in the World Cup following the final round of fixtures next week.

15 minutes or so to play.

Tunisia 0-1 Australia

11:35 , Michael Jones

72 mins: Close! That should have been the game!

Aziz Behich wins the ball off Wahbi Khazri and slides it down the line to Craig Goodwin. He flicks it over the top and finds Jamie Maclaren who takes the ball alongside the left edge of the penalty area before fizzing a low pass into the six-yard box.

It’s a great ball and one that should result in a goal as Mathew Leckie lunges towards it. All he needs is a touch to beat the goalkeeper but the ball bounces past him and Tunisia are spared more blushes.

Tunisia 0-1 Australia

11:32 , Michael Jones

69 mins: Ajdin Hrustic is given the ball out on the right and he flicks it over a defender before looking to sprint in behind. He slips as he rolls off the shoulder meaning the move breaks down but it’s a sign of the imagination he brings to the Australian team.

Tunisia 0-1 Australia

11:30 , Michael Jones

66 mins: Australia make a double change to try and wrestle some more possession. Mitchell Duke and Riley McGree go off with Ajdin Hrustic and Jamie Maclaren brought on.

For Tunisia Wahbi Khazri is introduced as another threat up top.

Tunisia 0-1 Australia

11:28 , Michael Jones

63 mins: Australia’s main threat is now coming from counter-attacks and Ali Al-Abdi recognises that. Jackson Irvine looks to burst through the middle but the Tunisian midfielder takes him out early and earns himself a yellow card for the trouble.

Tunisia 0-1 Australia

11:22 , Michael Jones

60 mins: Nice comeback from Australia who find some room to break on the counter attack with Craig Goodwin flying down the left. He fizzes a low effort into the six-yard box but there’s no-one around to turn the ball towards goal.

Good contest this one.

Tunisia 0-1 Australia

11:18 , Michael Jones

57 mins: Tunisia play the free kick quickly but Laidouni is still rolling around on the floor so the referee pulls back play just as Ellyes Skhiri takes the ball into the penalty area.

Tunisia aren’t happy about that but it’s their own fault for the play acting. These are all good signs for the African nation however. They’ve come out from the break with purpose and are taking the game to Australia.

Tunisia 0-1 Australia

11:16 , Michael Jones

54 mins: There’s an appeal for handball against Australia. Jebali weaves into the penalty area but loses possession to Aaron Mooy who boots the ball away.

It strikes one of his teammates on what Tunisia say was the arm - it wasn’t - and comes out to Aissa Laidouni who buys a free kick with an extravagant fall following a routine tackle.

Tunisia 0-1 Australia

11:12 , Michael Jones

51 mins: Riley McGree brings the ball up to the edge of the box for Australia before running into trouble and sliding the ball back to Jackson Irvine.

He whips the ball out to Craig Goodwin on the left wing who delivers a good cross into the box only for Tunisia to deal with it without too much trouble.

Tunisia 0-1 Australia

11:09 , Michael Jones

48 mins: Tunisia have also changed the formation, electing to go with a back four and send another man into midfield. That control works out for them as they win an early corner but Aussie defender Harry Souttar rises highest to head the ball clear.

Bright start to the second half from Tunisia though.

Second half: Tunisia 0-1 Australia

11:07 , Michael Jones

Kick off: Australia face a tricky 45 minutes as they look to try and hold on to their lead. Ferjani Sassi has replaced Mohamed Drager for Tunisia during the break in the only change in the teams.

The African side get the match back underway.

Americans are falling in love with football and we should all be worried

11:00 , Michael Jones

Watching Americans fall in love with football is like watching the fires of Mount Doom light up the dark sky over Mordor. Here in this New York bar, described by several online listicles as “the best soccer venue in the city”, I am Gandalf gazing at a pulsating orange glow in the distance with foreboding – a silent witness to the rise of a power that, once unleashed, will be almost impossible to stop.

It’s no secret that the United States is a country that takes sports very seriously, but it’s hard to describe to people who don’t live here just how deeply engrained it is in the culture. From a very early age, through high school and college, Americans are raised on a diet of several at once. Their sporting prowess isn’t immediately obvious to us from the outside because they are mostly content to play games that no one else does. But football, the most popular sport in the world, has been winning American hearts and minds at a rapid pace over the last decade.

As I watched England take on the US in the group stage of the World Cup, surrounded by American football fans, I was given pause to wonder: What happens when this nation of sporting fanatics finally starts taking this sport seriously?

Americans are falling in love with football and we should all be worried

HT Tunisia 0-1 Australia

10:55 , Michael Jones

Half-time: Tunisia 0-1 Australia

10:51 , Michael Jones

45+5 mins: The whistle goes to signal half-time and Australia head into the break with a crucial yet slender lead. Mitchell Duke’s header sent them in front after some solid work from Craig Goodwin on the wing.

Tunisia fought back towards the end of the half and looked dangerous in Australia’s final third. This game is far from done and Australia will have to work hard to maintain their lead in the second half.

Tunisia 0-1 Australia

10:49 , Michael Jones

45+2 mins: Tunisia are pushing up the pitch and are having a good spell of possession before the end of the half. They work the ball down the right and flick it over to Jebali who spins into the box and pulls the ball back to the Msakni.

The striker hits his right-footed chance with his first touch and slides it narrowly wide of the near post!

Tunisia 0-1 Australia

10:47 , Michael Jones

45 mins: Five minutes of added time to go before the end of the first half.

Tunisia 0-1 Australia

10:45 , Michael Jones

44 mins: Almost! Australia win another free kick with this one coming just inside Tunisia’s half of the pitch. Craig Goodwin floats another decent ball into the middle and Mitchell Duke gets his head to it again.

His connection isn’t great this time and he nods it straight to Aymen Dahmen in goal.

Tunisia 0-1 Australia

10:43 , Michael Jones

41 mins: Chance! It should be 1-1!

Tunisia throw the ball down the left side and get it up to Issam Jebali. His strength allows him to take the ball into the penalty area before a cutback comes to Youssef Msakni.

Msakni is closed down quickly but not before he lays the ball off to Mohamed Drager. Drager runs onto a first time shot but Harry Soutter leaps in front of the ball and makes a brilliant block to deny Tunisia an equaliser.

Tunisia 0-1 Australia

10:40 , Michael Jones

38 mins: Drager challenges Goodwin for an aerial ball and is clipped in the face by the Australian’s trailing leg. Tunisia come away with the ball though and Youssef Msakni drives up the pitch.

He carries it into the area and has a shot but Aziz Behich is well positioned to block the effort.

Tunisia 0-1 Australia

10:36 , Michael Jones

35 mins: Goodwin miscues his delivery as he sends the corner into the box. The ball dips behind the first defender and Jackson Irvine meets it with a backheel that finishes wide of the near post.

Decent improvisation from the Australian midfielder but it comes to nought.

Tunisia 0-1 Australia

10:35 , Michael Jones

32 mins: Talbi gets over to the left and blocks a cross behind for an Australia corner. Despite going behind Tunisia haven’t really responded in the attacking third.

Tunisia 0-1 Australia

10:31 , Michael Jones

29 mins: Fun fact, Mitchell Duke’s headed finish was the 50th goal of this World Cup and we’ve not even reached the halfway point of the group stages.

Tunisia 0-1 Australia

10:29 , Michael Jones

26 mins: Tunisis obviously came into the match with a similar gameplan to the one they used against Denmark but Australia’s pressure has broken them down.

These two teams are of similar quality so that opening goal could prove vital as the match goes on.

Mitchell Duke lunges into a tackle as he tracks back to help out the defence and is whacked on the shin by an innocent folow through.

GOAL! Tunisia 0-1 Australia (Duke, 23’)⚽️

10:24 , Michael Jones

23 mins: Huge moment! Australia take the lead!

Australia have had success sending the ball long with the front men winning the ball in the air. The do so here and knock it down to near the halfway line.

The ball comes out to Craig Goodwin on the left as Mitchell Duke starts a flying run from deep to get into the box in time to meet the cross.

He jumps towards the ball unopposed and guides a beautiful header over to the far corner!

Tunisia 0-0 Australia

10:23 , Michael Jones

21 mins: Shot! Tunisia come down the left wing and force Australia onto the back foot. They send it square quickly and two passes gets the ball over to Mohamed Drager who’s got time to set himself before letting fly from around 30-yards.

It’s Tunisia’s first real go at goal and Drager belts the effort well over the crossbar!

Tunisia 0-0 Australia

10:19 , Michael Jones

18 mins: Oh that’ll be a sore one! Mitchell Duke leaps towards a long ball and glances it on before landing awkwardly on his back as he clambers over the nearest defender.

The forward stays down to catch his breath and shuffles away awkwardly to run off the pain.

Tunisia 0-0 Australia

10:16 , Michael Jones

15 mins: Tunisia have picked up where they left off against Denmark.

They’re happy for Australia to have the ball and are backing their defenders to deal with any aerial passes into the box. It’s a gameplan that worked against the Danes and it’s working here as well.

The next step for the African side is to transition quickly into attack and put some pressure on Australia too.

Tunisia 0-0 Australia

10:13 , Michael Jones

12 mins: A well worked free kick from Aaron Mooy is floated over to the left wing where a backheel sends Craig Goodwin towards the byline.

He’s got time and space to put in a cross but only picks out Montassar Talbi who nods the ball clear.

Tunisia 0-0 Australia

10:10 , Michael Jones

9 mins: Tunisia had an early moment where they got the ball into the Aussies box but since then the team from down under have impressed.

They’re pressing well and utilising the wide areas for crosses.

Tunisia 0-0 Australia

10:07 , Michael Jones

6 mins: Lovely play in the middle of the pitch from Australia. They work the ball up to Mathew Leckie who shimmies out of a tackle before sliding a pass out to Goodwin on the left side.

Goodwin swings an early cross into the middle but Ali Al-Abdi rises to nod the ball away. It comes as far as Aaron Mooy who holds it up and wins a free kick.

Tunisia 0-0 Australia

10:04 , Michael Jones

3 mins: Craig Goodwin makes a run down the left wing as Australia feed the ball down the line. The forward puts on a spurt but can’t catch up to the pass before the ball rolls out of play.

Kick off: Tunisia 0-0 Australia

10:02 , Michael Jones

Australia get the match started knowing that a loss today would knock them out of the World Cup. They send the ball long and it’s defended easily enough by Tunisia.

Tunisia vs Australia

09:55 , Michael Jones

Here come the teams!

This will be a close encounter with the winning team taking a huge step closer to the knockout games.

Qatar’s World Cup streaming service blocked in Saudi Arabia

09:52 , Michael Jones

A Qatar-based broadcaster is in talks with Fifa after its World Cup streaming service was blocked in Saudi Arabia by that country’s government.

The broadcaster, Bein Sports, holds the rights to World Cup matches in Saudi Arabia and will screen 22 of them free-to-air there.

However, the remaining 42 can only be watched via its streaming service, which has been blocked in Saudi Arabia since an hour before the opening ceremony last Sunday.

Bein is in urgent talks with Fifa to resolve the issue. The timing is strange to say the least, with World Cup enthusiasm at fever pitch in Saudi Arabia after the country’s shock win over Argentina earlier this week.

Qatar’s World Cup streaming service blocked in Saudi Arabia

Australia’s fearless teen could make an ‘Owen-esque’ impact in Qatar

09:48 , Michael Jones

Garang Kuol has yet to start a single senior game of football but some in Australia believe the teenage striker could have the same impact for the Socceroos in Qatar as Michael Owen had for England at a similar age in the 1998 World Cup in France.

Owen was already an established first-team player at Liverpool when he lit up his first finals with a stunning goal against Argentina but 18-year-old Kuol is undeniably blessed with similar blinding pace, touch and self-confidence.

Kuol became the youngest Socceroo since Harry Kewell when he won his first cap off the bench in a 2-0 friendly win over New Zealand in September and had an immediate impact with a decisive role in the move that led to Australia’s second goal.

That was an echo of his cameo in the A-League All Stars exhibition match against Barcelona in May when he bamboozled jet-lagged Spanish defenders apparently at will to leave Xavi impressed with his “obvious talent”.

Australia’s fearless teen Garang Kuol could make an ‘Owen-esque’ impact in Qatar

Tunisia vs Australia

09:44 , Michael Jones

The Tunisians are aiming to record two unbeaten matches within a single World Cup campaign for only the second time after 1978 (W1, D1, L1).

Meanwhile, the Aussies have won just two of their 17 World Cup matches (D4, L11).

Tunisia vs Australia

09:37 , Michael Jones

The warm ups are well underway at the Al Janoub Stadium in Qatar. This one should be a closely fought affair and whoever scores first could give themselves a huge boost in the game.

England booed off after USA draw in latest underwhelming World Cup display

09:32 , Michael Jones

A performance as unconvincing as the decision to light up the Wembley arch in the rainbow colours.

England’s chances of winning this World Cup right now look as far away as this supposed protest against Qatar’s laws and attitude to LGBTQ+. Such present concerns also had historical echoes. England still haven’t beaten USA in a World Cup match. Much more relevantly, they for long periods looked an inferior team in this dismal 0-0 draw. They had fewer chances and much less impetus and energy.

It means that, far from going and lifting this trophy, England must currently be much more concerned with going out. That is the position Gareth Southgate’s side have now put themselves in.

And while it would take an awful lot for a faltering Wales to turn this group around in the final game and eliminate England, we are talking about a team that went from rampantly putting six past Iran to one barely able to muster a shot on target at the Al Bayt Stadium.

England booed off after USA draw in latest underwhelming World Cup display

Latest odds

09:27 , Michael Jones

Tunisia are the favourites with the bookmakers to take the win in this one. Here are the latest odds from Betfair for today’s opening game:

Tunisia 23/20

Draw 23/10

Australia 13/5

Tunisia vs Australia

09:23 , Michael Jones

The Socceroos seem up for this one. Tunisia represent their best chance of picking up a win at this tournament, who will come out on top today?

Tunisia vs Australia team changes

09:15 , Michael Jones

There is just one change to the Tunisia side who drew with Denmark in their opening game. Forward Naim Sliti comes in to replace Brondby’s Anis Slimane who drops to the bench.

Australia also make a change following their defeat to defending champions France. Fran Karacic replaces injured Hearts defender Nathaniel Atkinson in the starting XI.

Tunisia vs Australia

09:08 , Michael Jones

Less than an hour to go until kick off in this Group D encounter. The fans are flocking to the stadium and the atmosphere is building nicely.

Tunisia vs Australia line-ups

09:04 , Michael Jones

Tunisia XI: Dahmen, Bronn, Meriah, Talbi, Drager, Skhiri, Laidouni, Abdi, Sliti, Jebali, Msakni

Australia XI: Ryan, Karacic, Souttar, Rowles, Behich, McGree, Mooy, Irvine, Leckie, Duke, Goodwin

Tunisia vs Australia prediction

09:00 , Michael Jones

This could be a game of fine margins but Tunisia should have just enough of an edge in terms of quality to get over the line. Tunisia 1-0 Australia.

Tunisia vs Australia

08:55 , Michael Jones

Tunisia’s only win in their last 13 group-stage games since 1998 came against Panama four years ago. They’ll have their sights on three points today.

Tunisia vs Australia

08:52 , Michael Jones

This is just the third meeting between Tunisia and Australia in all competitions - Australia won 3-0 in a friendly in October 1997, before Tunisia won 2-0 at the 2005 Confederations Cup.

England turn to Wales after goalless World Cup draw with USA

08:43 , Michael Jones

Gareth Southgate is braced for the volume to turn up a notch at this “tournament of external noise” after stuttering England football team were held to a 0-0 draw by the United States.

Expectations were high after kicking off the World Cup with a 6-2 thrashing of Iran, only to be given a reality check in Friday’s Al Khor contest.

Christian Pulisic rattled the crossbar in the first half as Gregg Berhalter’s American side threatened to cause an upset against an England team that created precious little across the 90 minutes.

The goalless draw meant Southgate’s side blew the chance to wrap up progress to the knockout phase with a game to spare, leading to loud jeers echoing around Al Bayt Stadium at the final whistle.

England turn to Wales after goalless World Cup draw with USA

Tunisia vs Australia early team news and predicted line-ups

08:31 , Michael Jones

Tunsia have no fresh injury concerns and could welcome back Wahbi Khazri into the side after his missed the first game.

Australia picked up no injury problems against France and are likely to send out a similar side despite the thrashing.

Predicted line-ups

Tunisia: Dahmen, Bronn, Meriah, albi, Drager, Skhiri, Laidouni, Abdi, Msakni, Jebali, Khazri.

Australia: Ryan, Atkinson, Souttar, Rowles, Behich, Mooy, Leckie, Irvine, McGree, Goodwin, Duke.

Tunisia vs Australia

07:24 , Michael Jones

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the World Cup group stages. Today’s action sees play from Groups C and D as teams look to stride closer to a spot in the knockout rounds.

No team has made it into the last 16 as of yet with the Netherlands and England squandering chances to secure their spots yesterday in two drawn games but today could see the first nations advance out of the groups.

Following their shock victory over Argentina, Saudi Arabia would become the first nation to reach the knockouts if they also defeat Poland this afternoon and based on their performance against Lionel Messi’s side that isn’t out of the realms of possibility.

The current world champions, France, are also within one win of qualifying. The defeated Australia 4-1 in their opening Group D game and take on Denmark in the 4pm kick off today. Another victory there and they are safely through to the next round.

The day promises to be one of surprises and drama - as everyday is during the World Cup - so stick with us as we bring you all the build-up, team news and live coverage from all four matches.