The game-winning goal by Australia's Mitchell Duke against Tunisia was dedicated to his kid, and he claimed it was "a moment I will keep very dear for the rest of my life."

BBC reported that Australia got off to a good start, and Duke capitalised by expertly flicking Craig Goodwin's cross into the far corner to give Australia a 1-0 lead after 23 minutes.

The small group of Australia supporters behind the goal burst into jubilant celebration after that, temporarily silencing the hostile and unyielding support for Tunisia.

Australia held onto the slim lead that keeps their hopes of making it to the round of 16 alive knowing that losing would mean an early exit from the World Cup.

"I spoke to my son when I got selected for the World Cup," said Duke.

"You have to have that belief you can score [and] I told my son I would share that moment with him. [The celebration] was a little 'J' for the first letter of his name.

"I haven't seen it yet but apparently he did it back to me in the stadium. It is a moment I will hold very dear for the rest of my life."

Hissed and jeered throughout by striking clusters of fans draped in red at the Al Janoub Stadium, Australia held their nerve to claim their first victory at a World Cup since 2010.