Harry Souttar praised for greatest-ever Socceroos performance at 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar

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Teammates and fans praise 198cm monster Harry Souttar for ‘best ever Socceroos performance’ after the Stoke City star set himself up for a massive EPL contract with an epic game-winning tackle against Tunisia

Harry Souttar has been singled out by fans and peers for one of Socceroo’s greatest performances ever after an absolutely outstanding game against Tunisia on Saturday night.

At 198cm, the Stoke City defender was a key reason why the Socceroos managed to keep their first clean sheet in a World Cup since 1974 – and topped it off with a late game-saving tackle in the dramatic 1-0 win.

Harry Souttar (pictured with number 19 on his shirt) has been singled out by fans and peers for one of Socceroo's greatest performances ever after an outstanding game against Tunisia on Saturday night

Harry Souttar (pictured with number 19 on his shirt) has been singled out by fans and peers for one of Socceroo’s greatest performances ever after an outstanding game against Tunisia on Saturday night

Standing at 198cm, the Stoke City defender was a key reason the Socceroos managed to keep their first clean sheet at a World Cup since 1974 - and to top it off, a late game-saving tackle in the dramatic 1-0 win

Standing at 198cm, the Stoke City defender was a key reason the Socceroos managed to keep their first clean sheet at a World Cup since 1974 – and to top it off, a late game-saving tackle in the dramatic 1-0 win

Souttar has already attracted interest from EPL clubs such as West Ham and Crystal Palace, and with his colossal performance on the world stage, his price tag is sure to skyrocket.

The towering 23-year-old was dominant in the air, winning all the tackles he contested – and more importantly, he still kept the Socceroos’ World Cup dream alive with his match-winning slide just before full-time.

“It’s up there with the very best (football performance) for a defender, a midfielder or a striker,” said teammate Jackson Irvine.

“It’s one of the best individual football displays ever seen, but he doesn’t need to be told that.

And he’s one of the first to say back in the dressing room, ‘we’re going again’. That’s the kind of person and player he always wants to push us and push everyone further.

“That moment and that tackle, it was almost more celebrated than the goal… I think that will be one that will be played for years to come.”

Souttar has already attracted interest from EPL clubs like West Ham and Crystal Palace, and with his colossal performance on the world stage, his price tag is sure to skyrocket

Souttar has already attracted interest from EPL clubs like West Ham and Crystal Palace, and with his colossal performance on the world stage, his price tag is sure to skyrocket

Socceroo Awer Mabil added: ‘He was great. Harry, we missed him last year but it just shows his quality and he did it on the world stage. We have a really good team and it’s a real honor for Harry that he picked himself up and came back stronger than ever.’

Socceroos fans around the world reacted positively to Souttar’s performance and spectacular tackle.

“Harry Souttar just added zero after zero to his transfer value,” journalist Vince Rugari wrote on Twitter.

The towering 23-year-old was dominant in the air, winning all the tackles he contested - and more importantly, he has kept the Socceroos World Cup dream alive

The towering 23-year-old was dominant in the air, winning all the tackles he contested – and more importantly, he has kept the Socceroos World Cup dream alive

Harry Souttar is nonsense. Massively overrated and would struggle massively in the Premier League. Big clubs shouldn’t waste their time and money on him,” joked a Stoke City supporter who doesn’t want Souttar to leave the club.

“Harry Souttar would keep a clean sheet by doing Tough Mudder in a ghost costume,” a third tweeted.

Another user posted a photo of Hadrian’s Wall next to the comment “This is Harry Souttar’s father.”

A Twitter user posted this picture of Hadrian's Wall in reference to Souttar's defensive abilities and Scottish heritage

A Twitter user posted this picture of Hadrian’s Wall in reference to Souttar’s defensive abilities and Scottish heritage

What makes Souttar’s performance even more impressive is the fact that he has only played one senior club match ahead of the World Cup after coming back from a serious knee injury.

“You always have to have self-confidence and self-confidence,” Souttar said.

“But again, it’s not a one-man business. All the guys were great today, doing their part and doing their job.

‘…I’ve only played three games, so I don’t think I’m 100 percent (fit), but I give 100 percent every game. Towards the end there the legs started to go a bit, those last six minutes I thought ‘just get through it’.

“…I think today you saw a team willing to put bodies on the line, blocks, tackles, headers, wingers coming back, strikers working hard.. It was a really good performance all round.”

What makes Souttar's performance even more impressive is the fact that he has only played one senior club match ahead of the World Cup after coming back from a serious knee injury.

What makes Souttar’s performance even more impressive is the fact that he has only played one senior club match ahead of the World Cup after coming back from a serious knee injury.

The Socceroos now hope Tunisia doesn’t beat France, allowing the Aussies to progress to the next round if they draw with Denmark on Thursday morning.

Australia is guaranteed a place in the round of 16 if they can beat Denmark.