Look at Mooy! Midfield star dominates, super Harry Souttar, Behich immense: Socceroos player ratings vs Tunisia

On a glorious night for the Socceroos, coach Graham Arnold had his troops primed and prepared for battle. The performance they produced will go down in folklore, with just the third ever Socceroo win at the World Cup finals now giving the team a fighting chance of advancing to the Round of 16.

As a collective, the team were superb and as individuals, just as impressive. Here are The Roar’s player rankings for the Socceroos’ 1-0 win over Tunisia.

(Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

Mathew Ryan 8/10As per usual, Australia’s number one was superb when required against a Tunisian team that did threaten his goal on the odd occasion. Another professional and efficient game from one of the best goal keepers Australia has ever produced.

Aziz Behich 9/10Behich was the best Socceroo against France and took things to another level against Tunisia, with an attacking and defensive performance that many with untrained eyes would fail to appreciate. Instrumental in Duke’s goal, Behich is arguably the man of the tournament thus far for the Socceroos.

Kye Rowles 7/10In a typically silent central defenders game, Rowles was solid from the opening whistle until the moment Graham Arnold went bananas at the end of the match when he slipped an gave up a half chance. What a brilliant future the Socceroos have with such a mature and talented young man working in tandem with the giant alongside him.

Harry Souttar 9/10Whilst Souttar may have looked a little short of condition against the brilliant French, he quickly clicked back into gear against Tunisia and was, alongside Behich, the best on the park for the Socceroos. A few hairy moments could have been worse without his influence and desperation. A brilliant game.

Fran Karacic 8/10Despite slotting in after the injury to Nathaniel Atkinson, Karacic reminded everyone that he could well be the best right back in the Socceroo stocks, with a superb performance that saw him in behind Tunisian defenders on many occasions. His ability to wrap his foot around the ball and sling it aggressively into the area was clear and Karacic may well have just played his best ever international game.

Jackson Irvine 7/10Despite being less noticeable than in the opening match of the tournament against France. Irvine was part of a Socceroo midfield that out competed the Tunisians when it mattered most in the first half. His performance is best summarised as quiet efficiency and reaffirmed why he is one of the first men Graham Arnold places on the team sheet.

Aaron Mooy 9/10In a performance that turned back the clock, Mooy produced a game to be remembered and dominated in midfield until Tunisia managed to wrestle some control back through the middle period of the second half. Working far better with support in central midfield and not playing as a lone 6, Mooy was simply brilliant.

Aaron Mooy of Australia celebrates after the 1-0 win during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group D match between Tunisia and Australia at Al Janoub Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Al Wakrah, Qatar. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Riley McGree 7/10Despite not ever really finding open space and being able to stamp himself on the game, McGree was an important link in the attacking chain on numerous occasions; playing a key role in drawing defenders away from others. Destined to be an important player in 2026, McGree is developing into an excellent and consistent Socceroo.

Mathew Leckie 9.5/10I’ve launched the odd shot at Leckie over the years, but tonight, he shut me up. In a stunning performance that featured endless runs and lovely touches, he was the best player on the field in the most important Socceroo fixture for some time. That says a lot about the man.

Craig Goodwin 9/10Challenging Behich for the best Socceroo of the tournament, Goodwin was again superb on the left side of attack and was at the core of the goal that ultimately decided the contest. Simply brilliant with his left foot throughout, the Adelaide United star makes a good case for the quality of play in the A-League.

Mitchell Duke 8/10What a night for the Japan-based striker; scoring the goal that keeps Australian hopes alive and secures the Socceroos’ third win in World Cup history. A glancing header you say? We’ll never forget it.

Substitutions

Finally given some World Cup playing time, Jamie Maclaren (7/10) produced the second goal on a platter for an Australian foot that never arrived on time. He was busy and industrious. Awer Mabil (6/10) struggled to get into the contest as Tunisia sent waves of attack forward in the dying minutes and Ajdin Hrustic (7/10) was all class in the midfield in support of Mooy and Irvine as the clock ran down.

Milos Degenek (7/10) took over from Karacic late and maintained the intensity in what was a crucial area of the field for the Tunisian attackers and Keanu Baccus (6/10) was again given a late chance to taste the World Cup football that Graham Arnold obviously thinks he will be playing for some years to come.