From a World Cup qualifying playoff to the World Cup knockout stage, Australia’s roller-coaster journey will continue in Qatar with a trip to the round of 16 after a stunning 1–0 win over Denmark.
The Socceroos were one of the last teams to qualify for the World Cup in June when they defeated Peru in a penalty-kick shootout in the intercontinental playoff. Now, they are headed to their second-ever appearance in the World Cup knockout stages after their 2006 performance.
Mathew Leckie proved to be the goalscoring hero for Australia, which recorded its second straight win after defeating Tunisia in the second group game. Meanwhile, France advanced as the Group D winner despite a 1–0 loss to Tunisia as Les Bleus fielded a second team with the group practically secured. The defending champions will face the Group C runner-up while Australia will face the Group C winners.
The Danes, semifinalists at Euro 2020, crashed out of the World Cup without a win after a scoreless draw vs. Tunisia and losses to France and Australia, having scored just one goal. Despite an early push, Denmark was never able to find a rhythm against the upstart Socceroos.
After an energetic start from Australia, Denmark turned on the pressure in the 10th minute. Andreas Skov Olsen sent a dangerous low ball into the box that found Jesper Lindstrøm, but the Eintracht Frankfurt winger’s shot was blocked by a perfectly timed challenge from the Australian defense.
A minute later, Denmark charged down the pitch once again, forcing Australia keeper Mathew Ryan into a good save that pushed the chance over the bar.
In the other Group D match, Tunisia appeared to take the lead against France with an early goal, but it was called back for offside.
In the 19th minute, the Danes had another dangerous chance when Joakim Mæhle’s ball into the box was deflected by Australia defender Harry Souttar toward his own goal, but Ryan was there once again for the save.
The sides traded weak chances until halftime, going into the break in a scoreless draw with plenty on the line in the second 45 minutes.
Of the two Group D games, Tunisia was first to score with a goal from Wahbi Khazri in the 58th minute to take a 1–0 lead against France.
Just two minutes later, Australia struck a massive blow against Denmark with a goal of its own to take the lead thanks to Leckie. The Melbourne City winger, who equalled Australia’s record for World Cup appearances Wednesday, scored with a bit of individual brilliance, working past Mæhle before sending his shot past Kasper Schmeichel.
The Danes had a valid penalty shout in the 71st minute when Kasper Dolberg was dragged down in the penalty area. But as the referee signaled for the penalty, the assistant referee raised the offside flag on Dolberg, annulling the chance.
Australia continued to see out the remainder of the half with the 1–0 lead, with Denmark only coming close on one occasion in normal time, but Alexander Bah’s shot was sent wide after pressure from Souttar.
In Australia, with Sydney time approaching 4 a.m., the country’s celebrations went viral on social media as the final whistle sounded.
The final Group D standings ended with France top on six points and a +3 goal differential, Australia through on six points and a –1 goal differential, Tunisia missing out with four points and Denmark bottom on one point.
Here were the lineups for both teams:
Full World Cup Squads
Denmark
GOALKEEPERS: Oliver Christensen (Hertha Berlin), Frederik Rønnow (Union Berlin), Kasper Schmeichel (Nice)
DEFENDERS: Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace), Alexander Bah (Benfica), Andreas Christensen (Barcelona), Simon Kjær (AC Milan), Rasmus Kristensen (Leeds United), Jens Stryger Larsen (Trabzonspor), Joakim Mæle (Atalanta), Victor Nelsson (Galatasaray), Daniel Wass (Brøndby)
MIDFIELDERS: Thomas Delaney (Sevilla), Christian Eriksen (Manchester United), Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Tottenham), Mathias Jensen (Brentford), Christian Nørgaard (Brentford), Robert Skov (Hoffenheim)
FORWARDS: Martin Braithwaite (Espanyol), Andreas Cornelius (Copenhagen), Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford), Kasper Dolberg (Sevilla), Jesper Lindstrøm (Eintracht Frankfurt), Andreas Skov Olsen (Club Brugge), Yussuf Poulsen (RB Leipzig), Jonas Wind (Wolfsburg)
Australia
GOALKEEPERS: Andrew Redmayne (Sydney FC), Mat Ryan (Copenhagen), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners)
DEFENDERS: Nathaniel Atkinson (Heart of Midlothian), Aziz Behich (Dundee United), Miloš Degenek (Columbus Crew), Thomas Deng (Albirex Niigata), Fran Karačić (Brescia), Joel King (Odense Boldklub), Kye Rowles (Heart of Midlothian), Harry Souttar (Stoke City), Bailey Wright (Sunderland)
MIDFIELDERS: Keanu Baccus (St Mirren), Cameron Devlin (Heart of Midlothian), Ajdin Hrustic (Hellas Verona), Jackson Irvine (St. Pauli), Riley McGree (Middlesbrough), Aaron Mooy (Celtic)
