AL WAKRAH, Qatar (Reuters)

A Mitch Duke header gave Australia their first World Cup victory in 12 years with a 1-0 win over Tunisia in a hardfought contest on Saturday (November 26) that kept alive their hopes of progressing from Group D.

Target man Duke scored in the 23rd minute with a glancing header that flew past keeper Aymen Dahmen’s despairing dive, and the Socceroos then held back a largely toothless Tunisian attack over the remainder of the contest.

The victory, only the third for Australia in six visits to the World Cup finals, was the perfect response to their 4-1 drubbing at the hands of France at the same Al Janoub Stadium on Tuesday.

Australia moved to three points in the group, level with world champions France who could secure their place in the last 16 with a victory over Denmark later on Saturday.

“I’m hugely proud of the boys. They showed Aussie fighting spirit. They were in their faces all the time and I’m sure they made the nation very proud,” said Australia coach Graham Arnold.