IT was do or die for Australia when they came up against Tunisia on Saturday: they did, and are still very much alive.

After their 4-1 loss to France in their first outing, it was, in effect, a knockout game for the Socceroos, as a second loss would put them out of contention for a Round of 16 place.

The Eagles of Carthage were absent for the first 15 minutes but they eventually arrived to create the first real chance of the game when Mohamed Drager shot high, wide and ugly.

But it was the men from Down Under who struck in the 22^nd minute when Mitchell Duke anticipated a cross from the left and, almost facing backwards, redirected it into the far corner with a perfect header.

Tunisia battled to get on even terms but were first denied by an outstanding, fully-committed block by Harry Suter before Yussef Msakni blew the chance when he side-footed the ball wide from in front of the Aussie goalmouth.

1-0 at the break was probably a fair reflection.

It was now up to the Aussie defensive unit to hold the fort, and they did so magnificently, especially in the air where they had done so badly against France.

Tunisia certainly had their moments but were over-keen, losing the composure normally associated with their measured style of play.

They did have a few second-half chances, as did Australia, but it was generally a scrappy affair that degenerated to isolated breakaways rather than disciplined build-ups.

Salute Aaron Mooy, Matt Ryan and Harry Sutter who were as solid as the rock of Uluru as Australia kept their first World Cup clean sheet for 44 years.

They’re still in contention and this group will go down to the wire.