Australia clinch passage to last 16

Australia pulled off an upset to beat Denmark 1-0 in their final Group D game to progress to the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup. 

Although they played second fiddle to the Danes for much of the first half, the Socceroos scored a fantastic goal on the counter-attack on 60 minutes through Mathew Leckie - and a heroic effort in the latter stages of the contest saw them over the line and into the knockout stages of the World Cup for just the second time in their history. 

The Action: With France already through in Group D, the clash had the feel of a winner-takes-all encounter. 

Australia made a characteristically energetic start, but Denmark quickly found their rhythm and made inroads down the Socceroos' left flank in the early exchanges. Aussie midfielder Aaron Mooy had to make a very timely intervention to deny Jesper Lindstrom before Brentford's Mathias Jensen stung Mat Ryan's gloves with a rising near post drive. 

The Danes' grip on the game tightened and by the 20 minute mark, they were clearly dominant - their ability to play through Australia's press and progress smoothly up the pitch causing Graham Arnold's Socceroos problems. 

It bordered on backs-to-the-walls stuff for the Aussies, as the Antipodeans struggled to string more than three or four passes together with their matchwinner against Tunisia Mitchell Duke isolated up front. 

The Socceroos hung in there though, and steadied the ship somewhat as the minutes ticked down to half-time. Striker Duke got his first sighter in front of goal with a long range effort that Danish keeper Kasper Schmeichel easily gathered, and a few promising breaks came to nothing after forays forward in wide areas. 

Denmark themselves created one more promising situation before the interval, but Lindstrom was unable to find the right pass after surging in behind the Australians. 

With the game goal-less at half-time, the Socceroos had one foot in the knockout stages after 45 minutes, and their coach Arnold would no doubt have urged his side to maintain their composure in the second period.

The Aussies emerged with intent and life would have looked rosy indeed if former Hull City midfielder Jackson Irvine had been able to control a left-footed snap shot that flew over the bar. 

Danish supremacy was quickly restored though, with the Australian defence having to resist some sustained pressure. 

However, the Group D kangaroos were firmly among the pigeons with 60 minutes played when the Socceroos sprang forward to score on a lightning-fast counter. 

Mathew Leckie timed a run from inside his own half to perfection to latch onto Riley McGree's weighted pass. Leckie embarked on a 50 yard run before cutting back onto his left-foot and dragging his shot through Joakim Maehle's legs and into the bottom corner of the Danish goal. 

WE'RE INTO THE #FIFAWORLDCUP ROUND OF 16!!!

🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺#GiveIt100 #Socceroos pic.twitter.com/S6wt8eKTvS

— Socceroos (@Socceroos) November 30, 2022

With Tunisia winning against France as the two Group D encounters entered their last 10 minutes, Australia knew that only a win would do.  

The Australians survived a scare, however, when a penalty was initially awarded for a foul on Danish forward Kasper Dolberg, only for the decision to be overturned for offside on review. 

The Danes struggled to impose themselves when the chips were down and they grew increasingly desperate, sub Alexander Bah notably blazing wide of the target when decently placed in the 87th minute. 

Into six added minutes at the end of the game and the Danes threw keeper Schmeichel up for several corners, but they were unable to fashion any clear cut chances and the Australians held on to record a famous victory.

Moment of the match: Without a doubt, Leckie's matchwinner. A lung-busting run from deep in his own half ended with him carrying the ball into Denmark's box and switching onto his left foot. After doing all the hard work, it would have been excusable if his finish had been wanting...but it wasn't! A fantastic goal and a fantastic moment for the Socceroos. 

Man of the match: A colossus during the Australian's win over Tunisia last time out, Harry Souttar again rose to the occasion when it really mattered. A solid presence throughout, Souttar was immense in the final half an hour when hearts were fluttering and the Socceroos' qualification bid hung in the balance. An unbelievable display from the Stoke City centre-half. 

xG: Australia (0.70) 1-0 (0.67) Denmark

Stat of the Day: The only other time the Australians qualified for the knockout stages of a World Cup was back in 2006 - when they lost to eventual winners Italy 1-0 in the last 16. 

T.O.G.E.T.H.E.R!!!!#GiveIt100 #Socceroos #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/XX9XdtKPri

— Socceroos (@Socceroos) November 30, 2022