They had to do it the hard way at the Al Janoub Stadium – where they beat Tunisiajust four days ago – but it wouldn’t be like the Socceroos to do it easy. Forced to repel wave after wave of attack in the first half,and then again after Leckie’s spectacular goal,Arnold’s men hung on grimly but never let go in front of 41,232 fans.
Australia came in knowing a win or draw would get them into the final 16,assuming world champions France would be able to knock off Tunisia – but Les Bleus,who were already qualified,fielded a second-string team,and a 58th-minute goal from Tunisian skipper Wahbi Khazri at the Education City Stadium,news of which surely filtered through to an animated Arnold on the bench,meant only victory would do for the Socceroos.
So that’s what they did.
Right on the hour mark,somehow,they pulled ahead. It was a classic,clinical counterattack:Mitchell Duke passed to Riley McGree,who spotted the run of Leckie from the halfway line and unleashed him with a brilliantly measured pass.
The tireless Melbourne City winger was suddenly in a one-on-one battle with Danish defender Joakim Maehle as Joachim Andersen sprinted back to help. No matter. Leckie skinned Maehle,weaved himself into space and let rip with his left foot,his shot trickling past Schmeichel and into the far corner.
It meant that in all three Group D games,against all odds,the Socceroos scored first.