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World Cup 2022: Socceroos player ratings in epic win over Tunisia

The Socceroos have claimed their first World Cup win in 12 years with a 1-0 win over Tunisia in Qatar.

It was also arguably the best Australian performance at a World Cup since 2006.

A dominant first half produced the only goal of the game from Mitch Duke, before the Socceroos withstood intense Tunisian pressure in the second term to claim a famous victory.

Here are our player ratings, in a game where it's hard to pick a man-of-the-match amid so many strong performances.

Mathew Ryan — 10/10

Australia's goalkeeper was, in a word, faultless. You could not have asked anything more of him. Not only did he pull of a string of fine saves in the second half, his decision-making was perfect, choosing the right time to launch out of his goal to claim crosses or punch the ball to safety. His calmness under intense pressure rubbed off on his teammates as well.

Fran Karačić — 6.5/10

The right back, brought in to replace the injured Nathanial Atkinson, was solid in defence and as the match wore on, more inclined to get forward and offer assistance to Leckie in attack. Unspectacular but a key element in Graham Arnold's tactical plan.

Harry Souttar — 10/10

A performance that will go down in folklore. There were concerns before this game that the 1.98m Scotsman wouldn't have the legs to complete another game after returning from long-term injury, but he didn't stop running all day. He also pulled of a series of superb interventions as Tunisia streamed forward in the second half, include one epic block and one last-ditch sliding tackle for the ages. As in the game against France, his long balls out of defence were the starting point of many of Australia's best attacks, including for the goal.

Kye Rowles — 6.5/10

There were a couple of shaky moments for Australia's other centre-back, but he never panicked and largely stood tall beside his partner Souttar.

Aziz Behich — 8/10

Alongside Irvine, Behich is perhaps the most passionate, fire-breathing Socceroo, and this game was made for him. He used his experience to know when he was needed in defence, and when it was time to bomb forward down the left flank in attack. His combinations with Craig Goodwin caused all sorts of issues for Tunisia.

Mathew Leckie — 9/10

Cementing his place as one of the Socceroos' World Cup greats, Leckie was involved in many of Australia's best moments in attack, and was always available as defensive cover as well. He patrolled the right flank like a demon, but somehow also managed to show up at other parts of the pitch when he was needed.

Jackson Irvine — 7/10

Did what he always does, battled for every ball in midfield and made life difficult for the opposition. Perhaps started to tire a little in the second half as Tunisia turned the screws.

Aaron Mooy — 7.5/10 

His distribution was vital and he played a big part in Australia's dominance in the first half. He was less involved for periods in the second half, but his skill on the ball helped Australia work their way out of some tricky situations in the final minutes.

Craig Goodwin — 9/10

Another of Australia's best players, Goodwin was time and time again involved in the Socceroos' best moves down the left. 

His set piece delivery was excellent, though didn't lead to many clear-cut chances. It was his deflected cross which resulted in Duke's goal.

Mitchell Duke — 9/10

Duke's goal was a brilliantly executed header. Not only did he have to adjust to the cross after it changed trajectory, he had to generate enough power and angle to direct it into the corner of the net. It was a goal worth of the occasion. And let's not forget he started the move that led to it as well with a deft touch near the halfway line. 

Aside from the goal, it was a classic centre-forward performance, offering a target for his teammates, using his physicality and bullying defenders. 

Riley McGree — 8/10

Arnold opted to stick with McGree in his starting XI rather than Hrustic, and in the end the decision was vindicated. Superb in transition, he was a big part of the fluidity of the Socceroos' movement that so troubled the Tunisians. 

Subs

Jamie Maclaren — 6.5/10

Ajdin Hrustić — 6/10

Miloš Degenek — no rating

Awer Mabil — 5/10

Keanu Baccus —  no rating

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