“It’s a tough school, a tough lesson for us to learn but it’s the right time to do it, going into two massive games now.”

Australia found themselves in a similar position at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Smashed 4-0 by Germany in their first match, they then drew 1-1 with Ghana and beat Serbia 2-1, but finished third in their group due to poor goal difference.

This time around, their goal difference is better by one, and if France carry their red-hot form into their next game against Denmark, who were average in attack against Tunisia, the outlook might be even brighter for the Socceroos.

They can, however, expect to be outnumbered in the stands. Tunisia’s fans helped contribute to their domineering performance against the Danes, whistling through their national anthem, jeering them in possession, and loudly applauding the desperate defensive actions that helped them hold the world No.10 side to that 0-0 stalemate – one of the best results in their World Cup history, given the calibre of their opponents.

Defender Kye Rowles, who admitted he was “packing it” with nerves against France, watched part of the Denmark-Tunisia match on TV before playing later that night.

“It seemed pretty good. That’s what you want at these games,” he said. “Tonight was a very good atmosphere – our fans brought it and so did the French. It was a great game to play in, it was always noisy. They didn’t stop singing. They’re always behind us. I think the next game will be just as loud, if not louder. It should be pretty fun.”

The Socceroos came out of the match physically unscathed, with striker Mitch Duke confirming he was fine despite copping a knock to his hip in the first half. Facing a short a three-day turnaround, Arnold has already flagged the possibility of personnel changes, and was flirting with a switch to a back three against France before opting to stick with his tried-and-tested formula of four players in defence.

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“When we get back to the hotel, that’s the game gone,” Arnold said. “It’s good that the other result was a draw. Now it’s about winning [against Tunisia], so we’ve got to get ready for it.”

Meanwhile, Craig Goodwin said his elation at scoring Australia’s goal – their first from open play at the World Cup in over eight years – had been tempered by the final outcome.

“Putting on the Australian jersey is an honourable moment at any time, but to be at the World Cup, to play against the reigning champions and to score and take the lead was an incredible moment. The emotions were flowing through me,” he said.

“It was something that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life – but I’ll do that after the tournament, because we’ve got a game in three days time, and it’s something that we believe that we can win. We take the positives out and we look forward to the Tunisia game in a few days time.

“We have to go in with full confidence – the group is wide open, and we have the belief in this group that we can do something special.”

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