Mitch Duke says scoring at the World Cup is the greatest moment of his footballing career, and the Aussie striker celebrated bountifully.
In the seconds after putting Australia 1-0 up against Tunisia with a sublime header off a Craig Goodwin cross, Duke sprinted off with a gesture to the crowd.
Speaking to reporters in Doha, Duke said the ‘J’ symbol he made with his hands was to celebrate with his son Jaxon.
Special moment https://t.co/odPr0ioqZq
— Mitchell Duke (@mitchduke8) November 26, 2022
“I spoke to my son as I got selected in the World Cup and as a striker you need to have that confidence and believe you're going to score in every match,” he told reporters.
“I was messaging some of my family saying I was going to score today and I told my son I was going to be able to share this moment with him and do that celebration.
“The gesture was the letter J – the first letter of his name. I haven't seen it yet but apparently he did it back to me which is a very special moment I'm going to treasure for the rest of my life.”
Duke’s son was pictured on the SBS broadcast making the same symbol with his hands as Australian supporters celebrated around him.
Duke became the eighth goal scorer for Australia at a World Cup when passing Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen in the 23rd minute of Saturday night’s clash.
After the game, the 31-year-old reflected on keeping Australia’s dreams of advancing beyond the group stage alive.
“No words, such a big moment for my family and my supporters, it is the best feeling in the world, but try not to get too caught up because there is one more game to win and get out of the group,” he said.
“The best moment of my life and my football career, there are no words... Just so happy and proud of the boys. We made so many sacrifices to get here. It is the best feeling in the world.
“Honestly, I will go to war with these boys. A huge shift by the lads, keeping the clean sheet and getting a result, we fought until the end, everyone gave 110 per cent and that is all you can ask. We showed the Aussie spirit and we got the result.”
Australia now controls its own destiny, with a win over Denmark on Thursday enough to book a spot in the Round of 16.