‘Intelligent player’: BBC pundit gushes over ‘classy’ Celtic star at World Cup

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Danny Murphy has flooded praise at the feet of Aaron Mooy after the Celtic star produced a ‘classy’ display at the 2022 World Cup. The midfielder shone for Australia against Tunisia.

Socceroos boss Graham Arnold started Mooy for the second time in Qatar as his side beat Tunisia 1-0 on Saturday. The 55-cap technician had already faced France on the FIFA stage this winter during their opening 4-1 Group D defeat. But Australia are now off the mark.

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Mitchell Duke scored what would prove to be the only goal at Al Janoub Stadium after 23 minutes. The Fagiano Okayama forward turned Craig Goodwin’s cross home to delight the Socceroos’ sporadic clusters of fans. Australia had not won a World Cup tie since 2010.

Mooy produced a valiant, combative performance in the engine room to keep Australia in a narrow lead over Tunisia. Regularly, the Sydney native got back to clear the lines and get the Eagles of Carthage to make errors. His work with Harry Souttar was particularly strong.

A goal almost followed at the other end for Mooy in the 73rd minute, as well, as the Celtic star sent a shot just wide of Tunisia’s post as Australia sought to secure a win at the World Cup. He began a late first-half break, too, but Fran Karacic wasted his opportunity to score.

Murphy gushes over ‘classy’ Celtic ace Mooy’s Australia display at the World Cup

Mooy’s work on and off of the ball was instrumental in Australia winning and retaining the ball against Tunisia. The Celtic star’s efforts for the full 96 minutes in Al-Wakrah ultimately got their reward. Now, the Socceroos face Denmark next Wednesday eying a last 16 spot.

Celtic star Mooy’s showcase display on the World Cup stage as Australia beat Tunisia also delighted Murphy. The former England international flooded praise at the 32-year-old’s feet during his co-commentary on BBC One (26/11, 11:53) after blocking Wahbi Khazri’s cross.

“Such an intelligent player,” Murphy said. “To keep your calm in these situations late in the game when you know you’re being pressed, to find the right pass. It’s been a classy display from him.”